Gabriela Solons Want US troops Out of Mindanao, Call for the Termination of US-RP VFA
Press Release
Posted on February 1st, 2008.
Gabriela Women’s Party Representatives Luz Ilagan and Liza Maza are backing Mindanao groups and communities calling for the cancellation of the Balikatan and the termination of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement. Balikatan 2008, which kicks off today brings at least 6,000 US Troops for military exercises in North Cotabato, areas of Northern Mindanao, Sulu and Basilan.
“Year after year, the US-RP Balikatan leaves a trail of human rights violations that remain unresolved. We join the people of Mindanao in calling for an end to the Balikatan 2008 and the Visiting Forces Agreement.”
Rep. Ilagan who hails from Mindanao cited the recent case of US troops forcibly closing down the Panamao Distric Hospital in Sulu, thus denying much needed health care to residents of nearby communities.
“We refuse to accept this outright interference into the operations of local institutions and the delivery of basic services. Clearly they have no respect of people’s rights and no recognition of Philippine sovereignty, ” said Ilagan
Last January 24, the women’s partylist group led the filing of House Resolution 417 “Directing the House Committee on Foreign Affairs investigate the apparent blatant disregard of our Philippine sovereignty and Constitution when American Soldiers who are in the country through the RP – US Visiting Forces Agreement reportedly ordered the closure of Panamao District Hospital in Sulu and recommend measures towards the termination of the VFA in the light of said incident and other violations of Human Rights committed against the Filipino people and the Philippine Constitution by the U.S military forces”
The Gabriela solons also stressed this is not the first time that US troops were involved in violations. “ In 2002, Buyong-buyong Isnijal was shot by a US soldier, Sgt. Reggie Lane in Basilan. This case, including several other remain unresolved to this day.”
“We urge immediate action on HR 417 in as much as we call for justice for the victims of US troops and vigilance among our people especially in Mindanao.” #
“Year after year, the US-RP Balikatan leaves a trail of human rights violations that remain unresolved. We join the people of Mindanao in calling for an end to the Balikatan 2008 and the Visiting Forces Agreement.”
Rep. Ilagan who hails from Mindanao cited the recent case of US troops forcibly closing down the Panamao Distric Hospital in Sulu, thus denying much needed health care to residents of nearby communities.
“We refuse to accept this outright interference into the operations of local institutions and the delivery of basic services. Clearly they have no respect of people’s rights and no recognition of Philippine sovereignty, ” said Ilagan
Last January 24, the women’s partylist group led the filing of House Resolution 417 “Directing the House Committee on Foreign Affairs investigate the apparent blatant disregard of our Philippine sovereignty and Constitution when American Soldiers who are in the country through the RP – US Visiting Forces Agreement reportedly ordered the closure of Panamao District Hospital in Sulu and recommend measures towards the termination of the VFA in the light of said incident and other violations of Human Rights committed against the Filipino people and the Philippine Constitution by the U.S military forces”
The Gabriela solons also stressed this is not the first time that US troops were involved in violations. “ In 2002, Buyong-buyong Isnijal was shot by a US soldier, Sgt. Reggie Lane in Basilan. This case, including several other remain unresolved to this day.”
“We urge immediate action on HR 417 in as much as we call for justice for the victims of US troops and vigilance among our people especially in Mindanao.” #
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