Groups, individuals launch movement vs VFA

MANILA, Philippines - Militant groups and former lawmakers launched in Quezon City Tuesday a broad movement calling for the junking of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Radio dzBB's Mao dela Cruz reported the "Junk VFA" movement called for the repeal of the VFA despite the support for it by US President Barack Obama. Former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. and former senators Sergio Osmeña III and Wigberto Tañada joined the movement, along with Sonia Roco, widow of the late Sen. Raul Roco. Guingona, Osmeña and Roco had opposed the ratification of the VFA in 1999, while Tañada voted against the retention of the US bases in 1991. Earlier, umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said that despite Obama’s call to President Arroyo expressing support for the VFA, the anti-VFA campaign will intensify in the coming months. “Mrs. Arroyo missed a rare opportunity to speak out for national interest. She did not even raise the issue of rape victim Nicole and the custody of convicted rapist Daniel Smith. The interest of justice was again set aside in favor of upholding unequal ties with the US," said Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. The group also scored Obama for carrying over the policies of his predecessor George W. Bush. Bayan said Obama’s support for the VFA will not change public perception of one-sidedness of the agreement. “It will only challenge oppositors to further expose the real US agenda in the VFA," Reyes said. Bayan’s US chapter and Gabriela USA last week kicked off a petition campaign addressed to President Obama, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry, House Foreign Affairs Chairman Howard Berman and House Appropriations Chairwoman Barbara Lee. The US petition is part of an international campaign to pressure the US government to abrogate the VFA and turn over convicted rapist Lance Corporal Daniel Smith to Philippine authorities. The petition calls on Obama administration to surrender Smith to Philippine authorities, scrap the VFA, bring home American troops stationed in the Philippines and terminate military aid for the Arroyo government. “The campaign against the VFA will soon be brought to Obama’s White House and to Capitol Hill. Filipino-Americans and other anti-war groups will be pressing the Obama administration to scrap this unequal agreement and to respect the sovereignty of the Philippines," Reyes said. In the Philippines, a protest action is also being planned on March 21, anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. Protesters will be calling on the US to pull out its troops from Iraq and the Philippines. “The Supreme Court may issue a ruling on a motion for reconsideration on the custody of Smith and the validity of the VFA. The Court of Appeals may also rule on Smith’s appeal to reverse his conviction. We have to be ready. Then there is also the 10th anniversary of the ratification of the VFA on May 27, 2009. There will be protests on these dates," Reyes said. - GMANews.TV