Student leader disrupts Clinton forum in Manila

A campus journalist on Wednesday briefly disrupted the forum at the National Museum with visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by shouting protest slogans and unfurling a crude banner calling for an end to the US-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). “Junk VFA," shouted the student, who was identified as Marjohara Tucay. He is the editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian, the official student publication of the state-run University of the Philippines in Diliman.

“There is nothing mutual in the Mutual Defense Treaty," Tucay shouted repeatedly, even while security personnel were escorting him out of the venue. His outburst came just as the audience was applauding Clinton's remarks expressing optimism about the future of the Philippines. Clinton was unruffled, saying, "I’m pretty much used to it after all these years." Clinton is in Manila mainly for the 60th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), which requires the US and the Philippines to support each other when either country gets attacked by external forces. Established in 1951, the MDT paved the way for the signing of the VFA in February 1998, several years after the US withdrew its military bases in the Philippines. The agreement allows US troops to be stationed in the country from time to time. The former US First Lady said even though she does not agree with the activist, she recognizes his right to voice his sentiments. “I think people have the right to express themselves, that's what democracy is about," said Clinton, the wife of former US President Bill Clinton. Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago has called for the termination of the VFA, which has long been opposed by leftist and nationalist groups. - Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK/YA/HS, GMA News