PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

CPP sees link between mining and escalation of US troops deployment
February 8, 2005

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today released the following statement:

Arroyo seeks stepped-up US troop deployment to assure foreign mining firms--CPP

Communist Party of the Philippines
February 8, 2005

There is a close link between the Arroyo regime's all-out campaign to lure foreign mining companies to plunder Philippine mineral resources and the escalation of US military intervention.

Mrs. Arroyo wants the US government to increase its troop deployment in the Philippines to assure foreign mining companies that they would have nothing to fear in their operations. The US and Arroyo governments intend to use joint military exercises between American and Filipino soldiers as a smokescreen for the increased deployment of US combat troops in Philippine territory. Malacanang recently announced that 28 such exercises are slated for 2005. The Arroyo regime's intensified efforts to attract foreign mining companies through the antipeople, pro-imperialist Mining Act of 1995 is bound to lead to the exacerbation of human rights violations perpetrated by the US-supported Philippine military.

The CPP reiterates its call for a national war to defend Philippine economic sovereignty and national patrimony. The New People's Army (NPA) shall ensure compliance with laws of the People's Democratic Government prohibiting the wanton destruction of the environment.