PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

CPP reiterates demand to scrap VFA, MDT
January 21, 2005

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today renewed its call for the scrapping of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the Philippine and US governments, calling them "licenses for heightened US military intervention in the Philippines."

The CPP likewise demanded that the Arroyo government order the removal of all US military personnel "secretly stationed" in various camps around the country.

CPP spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal said that since the forging of the VFA, "the entire Philippines has served as a virtual US military base, what with the all-out freedom of US combat troops to enter and leave Philippine territory."

"US military intervention through the VFA and MDT makes a mockery of Philippine sovereignty," said Rosal. "Employing the provisions of these military treaties, the puppet Arroyo regime has given up all pretensions to independence and has shown extreme subservience to US imperialism."

"The VFA has served as a cover for the unmonitored entry of American military units in the country to conduct clandestine operations, including direct involvement in operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)," Rosal added.

He cited an article by Aries Rufo published last week in Newsbreak magazine entitled "Unwanted Presence" which gave details of two American military officers from the US Pacific Command who have been encamped at the guesthouse of the Philippine Army 6th Infantry Division (6th ID) headquarters in Camp Siongco Awang in Maguindanao.

Citing sources from the Philippine Army, Rufo said at least six to eight Americans also hold office at the 601st Infantry Brigade headquarters in Malungon, Sarangani.

Rosal said patriotic-minded organizations and individuals, as well as officers and soldiers of the AFP should demand full disclosure regarding American military officers secretly stationed in AFP camps.

He called for the immediate pullout of all US troops stationed in the Philippines.

Rosal also cited Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago's call for a review of the VFA, adding that he hoped it would eventually lead to the scrapping of the VFA and the MDT.

"We encourage Senator Santiago, who is a professor of international law, to speak more vigorously against the US imperialist policy of preemptive strike which has been used by the Bush government to arrogate the right to trample on international institutions and violate the rights of sovereign states," Rosal said.

Reference:
Anne Buenaventura
Media Officer
Cellphone Number: +63910-240-3553



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