Vince Casilihan
Spokesperson,Karapatan-Bikol
Reference
The PH-US Balikatan Exercises 2014 in Albay ends
today. What benefit did the Albyanos get
from the much touted humanitarian civic action that Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda was
so proud to tell the public? Pittance! How much was spent from public funds for
hosting Balikatan Exercises 2014? The US troops did not come here to Albay to
do civil military operations (CMO) at the expense of the US government. The Philippine
Government spends for it in compliance with the Mutual Logistic Support
Agreement (MLSA).
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Bikolano Alliance For Nationalism
Oppose To US Troops
(BAN US TROOPS)
|
The Balikatan Exercises 2014 demonstrates the patent
subservience of the US-Aquino Regime ably supported by Gov. Salceda to US
imperialism. The timing was
perfect. It was conducted at a time of
US President Barack Obama scheduled visit to the Philippines for the signing of
the PH-US Enhanced
Defense Cooperation Agreement(EDCA). The message is clear. Regular presence of US troops can now be
expected.
Albay
Provincial Government did what it is expected of it by its master - full
hospitality and security for the US troops.
Layers of PNP personnel both uniformed and plain clothes acting as
security guards were deployed in strategic places where the the Balikatan
Exercises were held to prevent the organized opposition against
PH-US Joint Balikatan Exercises come near the sites. Elements of 2nd IB PA conducting
military operations to provide security for US troops
participating
in the Balikatan Exercises in barangays
Doña
Mercedez, Malobago, and Sinungtan in
Guinobatan, Albay, harrassed and intimidated civilians in adjacent barangays
and told them not to join rallies against Balikatan or face removal from the
list of Conditional Cash Transfer(CCT) beneficiaries. One civilian was even fired upon by soldiers
when he ran to the comfort room to relieve himself.
The US troops
doing repairs of classrooms and
medical/dental mission is a clear proof of Philippine Government gross neglect
and dismal failure to provide for its citizens sufficient provision to satisfy basic social
services like education and health.
Bicol Region ranks third in the poorest regions in the entire
country. Albay province has the most
number of malnourished children in public schools in the region. But the provincial government of Albay has
money for Magayon Festival 2014 to a
tune of P20 Million according to report.
With the
PH-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) now in place, a whole sale of Philippine national
sovereignty to US imperialism was almost
complete. US troops, arms, and war
machines can now have unhampered base
access in” Agreed Locations” in AFP
military bases rent-free for unspecified time. The Filipino people will pay the
cost of their stay and will bear the social cost that the presence of US military bases will
bring to our people.
Oppose US imperialism!
Junk EDCA!
Scrap RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT)!
Visiting Forces
Agreement (VFA)!
Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA)!
Uphold National Sovereignty!
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