Opposition vs. US combat operations snowballs

Press Statement
Thursday, 24 January 2002

Opposition vs. US combat operations snowballs

Opposition to the Malacañang-approved deployment of US military troops in
the campaign against the Abu Sayyaf has snowballed as various personalities
and groups pledged to "undertake all measures" in order "to ferret out the
truth" about the US intervention in our internal affairs. In a press forum
held at Hotel Rembrandt, former Sen. Wigberto Tañada said that the Arroyo
administration should explain to the public the real extent, scope and
intent of the activities to be done by US troops in Mindanao.

Tañada expressed concern that, "The public are left in the dark by the
government on this issue. It is about time for matters to be clarified
especially since many important factors are at stake."

House Minority Leader Carlos Padilla also bared that he will endorse a
resolution filed by Bayan Muna representatives that calls for an inquiry
into the entry of the US forces.

Padilla said that the issue will be tackled today in a caucus of the House
opposition solons.

Impressive conglomeration of personages and groups

Joining Tañada and Padilla were Reps. Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza of Bayan
Muna, retired Navy Capt. Danilo Vizmanos of the Junk VFA Movement, Datu
Michael Mastura of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) negotiating
panel; Supreme Bishop Tomas Millamena of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente
(IFI), Bishop Elmer Bolocon of the United Church of Christ in the
Philippines (UCCP), Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz Duremdez of the National Council of
Churches of the Philippines (NCCP), Fr. Allan Arcebuche OFM of the Promotion
of Church People's Response (PCPR); Amirah Ali Lidasan of the Moro Christian
Peoples' Alliance (MCPA), Teodoro A. Casiño of the Bagong Alyansang
Makabayan (BAYAN), Emmi de Jesus of GABRIELA, Elmer Labog of the Kilusang
Mayo Uno (KMU), Rodolfo Sambajon of the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang
Mamamalaya sa Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA), and Ferdinand Gaite of the government
workers' group COURAGE.

Bayan Muna's Ocampo expressed hope that the resolution will be taken up by
the committees on justice; civil, political and human rights; national
defense; and foreign affairs. "The people deserve to know the truth from top
defense and national security officials," the activist solon said.

"Idolatry of foreign gods"

Spiritual leaders of the country's two biggest Protestant churches-UCCP's
Bolocon and IFI's Millamena-spoke against "Arroyo's idolatry of foreign
gods" and asked the President to "repent and turn back from evil ways of
actively seeking US meddling in Philippine affairs."

Duremdez, who heads the NCCP, reiterated the council's "strong objections to
foreign military interference." She dubbed the upcoming US combat operations
as "immoral and un-Christian."

Public being fooled

BAYAN's Casiño meanwhile hit Arroyo, the AFP and the US government "for
taking Filipinos for a ride" as it accused all of them of "a conspiracy to
the hide the truth" behind the so-called "joint military exercises" in
Basilan.

Casiño said that BAYAN would launch a nationwide campaign on the issue and
gather more personalities and forces towards building a broad alliance
against the entry of US forces.

"When US troops are allowed to patrol an area, use their arms and live
ammunition and authorized to fire back when put on a defensive cannot in any
way be considered an exercise. These are actual combat operations," Casiño
said.

"Honesty, it's such a lonely word," Casiño jokingly added.

Effect on GRP-MILF peace talks

Mastura, meanwhile, said that the MILF, which helps represent in peace talks
with the Arroyo government, is eagerly watching developments as the US troop
deployment covers MILF areas in Basilan.

"This is a question of sovereignty and we join those who are defending our
territory against interference by any country," Mastura said. "This might
become hazardous to peace because Bangsa Moro land may be affected,
including several areas in Basilan."

Banana republic

Vizmanos, a retired Navy captain and current spokesperson of the Junk VFA
Movement, shared seven implications of US combat operations in Basilan as
approved by the President.

Vizmanos, who has dubbed Defense Sec. Angelo Reyes a worse US puppet than
Arroyo, said that the US combat operations are "a brazen display of
arrogance of power" and "confirms the puppetry of the top leadership."

"Sadly, this consigns the Philippines to the same category as banana
republics in Latin America where US meddling is accepted as norm by puppet
leaders," Vizmanos added.

An insult to Filipino soldiers

Vizmanos stressed that US intervention is "an insult to the fighting
capability and competence of the Filipino soldier."

He added that, "Filipino soldiers have engaged in counter-insurgency since
the 1950's while US soldiers' closest experience to this was during the
Vietnam War. But as this solitary experience only resulted in a crushing
defeat for the US, what could US soldiers teach their Filipino
counterparts?"

Vizmanos said that Basilan will be made a laboratory where US soldiers would
learn how to engage in a proxy war in a tropical environment. #


BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN (BAYAN)
Email: bayan [at] pilnet.com
Webpage: http://www.geocities.com/bayanorg/