US Secretary of State Clinton arrives in RP, defends VFA

Protests against the Visiting Force Agreement (VFA) greeted the brief visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who arrived in the Philippines at about 1 p.m. Thursday under tight security at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. Clinton, who will stay in the country less than 24 hours with her 29-man entourage, is expected to reaffirm strong ties between the US and the Philippines. Earlier in the day, a group of activists from the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), League of Filipino Students, Gabriela and Kilusang Mayo Uno called for the abrogation of the VFA between the US and Philippine governments as they gathered at the Plaza Salamanca in Manila before marching to the US Embassy.

Protesters also staged a protest rally near the Goldenberg Mansion inside the Malacañang grounds, where Clinton will be meeting with President Arroyo and other officials. Filipino activists opposing the VFA claim that numerous human rights abuses occur every time the Philippines conducts Balikatan exercises with American troops under the agreement. Protesters have cited the case of Suzette “Nicole" Nicolas who accused Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith of raping her in 2005. The Court of Appeals, however, absolved Smith of the crime last April. Bayan linked the Balikatan exercises to the alleged mauling of a certain Marcelo Batesil in Cebu City; the shooting of suspected Abu Sayyaf member Buyong-Buyong Isnijal in Basilan province; the reported massacre of three Moslem civilians in Barangay Sipangkot, Umapoy Island in Tawi-Tawi and four others in Maimbung, Sulu; and the killing of a certain Arsid Baharon in Barangay San Roque in Zambonga City. Although the US troops did not carry out the alleged crimes, they were present during the operations as “embedded" forces in Philippine military units, Bayan claimed, a charge denied by Philippine and US forces. The VFA, ratified by the Philippine Senate on May 27, 1999, does not allow US troops from engaging in combat operations, except for self-defense. Senators led by Miriam Defensor Santiago have called for the abrogation of the agreement after learning about a report that Col. David Maxwell, commander of the Joint Special Operations Task Force of the Philippines, admitted that US troops were engaged in combat operations in the Philippines. The Arroyo administration continues to defend the VFA and the Balikatan. Mrs. Arroyo once described critics of the VFA and Balikatan "as protectors of terrorists, partners of murderers and lovers of the bandit group Abu Sayyaf." Sinnott release Clinton arrived several hours after 79-year-old Columban missionary Micheal Sinnott was freed by his abductors. The Irish priest was abducted in Pagadian City last month. Presidential adviser for Mindanao affairs Jesus Dureza said there was no connection between Clinton's arrival and the release of Sinnott. “If his release appeared to coincide with Clinton’s visit, it was not intentional. But it is a good development in time for the visit," Dureza said in an interview on dzXL radio. In a news conference in Malacañang, Clinton defended the VFA and said her country remains "committed to a strong partnership and alliance with the Philippines. "I am here today to reaffirm the that commitment. The Visiting Forces Agreement is an important expression of our partnership that is based on mutual respect and mutual interest," she added. Recalling the recent destructive cyclones that hit the main island of Luzon, she said: "Our service members, as we have seen in the last natural disasters, are ready to provide assistance where it is asked for, and to work side by side with the military of the Philippines. I am proud of what our service members have done in helping to respond to the devastating storms and the floods." Clinton reiterated the US government's support for the peace process with Moslem rebels in the southern Philippines. "We're encouraged by the ceasefire, and the reports that I received today about the negotiating efforts is very promising, so we will wish the very best to those who are attempting to bring an end to the conflict and to support you in any way that is appropriate." Overnight visit The former US first lady was welcomed at the airport by several government officials led by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, and US Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney. Clinton was greeted by honor guards and given a bouquet of flowers before she boarded a black vehicle along with an 11-car convoy. After her press conference in Malacañang in Manila City, Clinton is scheduled to attend the opening of a book fair at the Malanday National High School in Marikina City. In the evening, Clinton will pay a courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Malacañang, where the US official will be conferred with the Order of Sikatuna, a national honor given to individuals, diplomats and foreign officials who have significantly contributed to strengthening their country’s ties to the Philippines. Clinton will end her day with a dinner hosted by Mrs. Arroyo, and stay overnight in Manila. On Friday, Clinton is scheduled to visit the University of Sto. Tomas, one of the oldest academic institutions in Manila, and the American Cemetery in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City for a wreath-laying ceremony. She is scheduled to leave the Philippines on Friday morning. - JOSEPH HOLANDES UBALDE, MARK D. MERUEÑAS, SOPHIA M. DEDACE, AIE BALAGTAS SEE, GMANews.TV