Military bases ouster commemorated
The 11th anniversary of the senate�s rejection of the treaty that would have extended the presence of US military bases in the Philippines was commemorated on September 16. The gathering held at the University of the Philippines and dubbed "Reliving September 16, 1991" was organized by Bayan Muna, Vice President Teofisto Guingona and former Sen. Wigberto Ta�ada.
Twelve senators, including Ta�ada and Guingona, voted against the proposed "RP-US Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Security," signalling the end of 50 years of the US military bases� presence in the Philippines.
The activity was attended by leaders and members of mass organizations. Pastor "Boy" Saycon of the Council for Philippine Affairs and Linda Montayre of the People�s Consultative Assembly (both former Macapagal-Arroyo allies) also showed their solidarity with their presence.
The participants demanded that Macapagal-Arroyo publicize the contents of the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement and submit the treaty for deliberation in the Senate.
That same day, hundreds of demonstrators rallied in front of the US Embassy to oppose US military intervention in the Philippines and the threatened strike against Iraq. The protest action led by BAYAN, Bayan Muna and other progressive organizations was likewise joined by the International League of Peoples� Struggle.
Simultaneously, the Liberal Party (LP) inaugurated a monument called "Inang Laya." The monument hailed the correctness of the military bases� ouster. Even if the LP formed part of the ruling coalition, it daringly defied the rabidly pro-imperialist stance of its honorary chairperson, Macapagal-Arroyo.
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