Militants twit Obama for friendly statement on Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines - Militant umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) twitted US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama Saturday for his "friendly" message for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Bayan, in a statement, said Obama's statement shows there would be no substantial changes in US foreign policy and relations with the Philippines if ever he wins the US presidency. "For a person running on a platform of change, his speech seems to be sorely lacking it. There will be no changes in US military engagement in the Philippines, the Balikatan war games, the 'war on terror' and the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty of 1954," it said. It added Obama appears to be adhering to the worn-out neo-colonial relations between the US and the Philippines established way back in 1945 upon the granting of Philippine nominal independence. "Such relations as embodied in several treaties, show the unequal status of the Philippines in relation to America. These relations have consistently trampled on our national sovereignty," it said. Bayan reminded Obama that Mrs Arroyo fully supported the war in Iraq, to which he was opposed from the very beginning. It also reminded him that the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement has resulted in US military intervention in the Philippines as well as human rights abuses and rape. Also, it said millions of dollars of US military aid to the Philippines has gone to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which is being accused of committing gross human rights violations. The allegations of rights abuses are even supported by UN special rapporteur Philip Alston and many other international watchdogs, it added. "There is no doubt in our minds that US foreign policy toward the Philippines needs changing. We cannot adhere to the same unequal treaties and policies crafted during the Cold War and expanded further during the 'war on terror.' From his speech on Arroyo, Obama doesn't seem to be the person pushing for that change," it said. Bayan cited a statement quoting Obama as welcoming Mrs Arroyo's visit to the US, as "an opportunity to strengthen our historic alliance, and to discuss a host of issues of mutual interest." "I extend a warm welcome to President Arroyo on her visit to the United States, and I look forward to working with her and her country in years to come as the Philippine people work together with us toward a better and more secure future for our two nations, for Asia, and for the world," the Obama statement said.- GMANews.TV