Solon questions arrival of US carrier in RP

PARTY-LIST Representative Liza Maza questioned the presence of 6,000 US troops aboard the US Navy aircraft carrier USS George Washington docked at the Manila Harbor for their so-called 4-day "goodwill" visit to the Philippines.

Maza asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to explain the nature and scope of their visit.

In a released statement, Maza said the presence of US troops raises a lot of questions.

"While the US claims that this is part of the routine port visits, we do not exactly know what other agenda they might have as there are no definite limits to their so-called ‘humanitarian’” trip," Maza said.

According to reports, some of its 6,000-strong crew, headed by Capt. David Lausman, will also participate in community development projects, a 10-barangay outreach program, sports events, and other "humanitarian" missions.

"Is this part of the deal sealed by GMA (President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) during her recent US visit? Under what arrangement or agreement allows this visit and its humanitarian components? Are they here for rest and recreation as well? What cost will it entail to our government?" Maza asked.

Maza also expressed concern that the presence of a large number of US troops serves as magnet for attacks from enemies of the United States.

"It has been our experience that the presence of US troops has encouraged the proliferation of prostitution," she said.
"Filipino women most especially have become prone to abuse and we cannot simply allow them to fall prey to exploitation and be used as objects for 'rest and recreation' of American troops," Maza added.

She said the mere presence of 6,000 US troops in and around Metro Manila is already an abnormal sight and a cause for serious concern.

"We do not like to think that this is part of the psychological conditioning to make the presence of US troops acceptable in our country despite the Constitutional provision that prohibits foreign troops in our land," Maza concluded. (BOT)