PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

US wants permanent military presence in the Philippines – CPP
August 1, 2002

“It has become ever clearer that the real objective of US imperialism and the puppet Macapagal-Arroyo regime in launching Balikatan 02-01 is to pave the way for establishing permanent US military presence in the Philippines,” said Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal, spokesperson of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

In an statement released to the media today, Rosal asserted that “permanent US military presence” is “essentially the same as re-establishing US military bases in the Philippines” since “American troops could station, set up facilities and carry out operations in any place in the Philippines”.

Rosal pointed out that 160 combat forces were to stay in Basilan until October 2002 even after the formal closing of Balikatan 02-01. This is contrary to the earlier announcement of the US military that only US Naval Seebees were to be left behind to build infrastructure projects.

Rosal said further that the US military and AFP are to conduct “exercises” in North and South Luzon where “they are to participate in military operations against the revolutionary movement and territories of the People’s Revolutionary Government”.

The visit tomorrow of US Secretary Colin Powell “aims to ensure that the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) will be approved”, Rosal added. “The MLSA will serve as the legal basis for establishing US permanent military presence in the country”, said Rosal who also assailed the agreement as it “outrightly violates Philippine national sovereignty”.

Rosal explained that permanently stationing American troops in the Philippines is “strategically significant” for the US as it would be able to “use the Philippines as a base for launching operations in the Southeast Asian region”.

“The Philippines is also strategic because it is here where one of the strongest and most powerful revolutionary movements can be found, one which the US imperialism so dreadfully fears”, Rosal concluded.

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



Back to top