Malacañang Invokes VFA to Justify Continued Presence of US Troops

In her statement, Maza demanded the immediate pullout of US troops in Mindanao, saying their mere presence was already a clear violation of the country’s sovereignty.

"The presence of U.S. troops in the country is a blatant intervention to the internal affairs of our country. In fact, their decision to continuously deploy U.S. soldiers in the Philippines not only violates our sovereignty but it also puts our national security under threat. We do not need G.I. Joes to fight our own battles," Maza said.

Maza said the continued stay of foreign troops in the country was a glaring violation of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and cited Sec.25, Art. XVIII which reads:

"After the expiration in 1991 of the Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America concerning military bases, foreign military bases, troops, or facilities shall not be allowed in the Philippines except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate and, when the Congress so requires, ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the people in a national referendum held for that purpose, and recognized as a treaty by the other contracting State."

As to the VFA, Maza stressed that the US has not recognized the VFA as a treaty, and the US Senate has refused to have it ratified.

She criticized the Arroyo government for its "extreme servility to U.S. Interests."