STATEMENT
On the deceptive
“sustained anti-terrorism program” and the prescriptions of the Mutual
Defense Board By Capt. Danilo
P. Vizmanos PN (ret.)
Former Inspector-General, AFP
Spokesperson, US Troops Out Now! Alliance
I AM warning
the public not to fall prey to the “sustained anti-terrorism program”
of the Philippine and US governments and the latest prescriptions
from the Mutual Defense Board. We have been fooled once with the Balikatan
02-1, it would be a bigger mistake if we would swallow hook line and
sinker the impending expansion, extension and permanent return of
US troops in the country.
Whether or not President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo admits it, the “sustained
anti-terrorism program” is a camouflage for more brazen direct US
intervention. The latter includes the railroading of a Mutual Logistics
and Support Agreement (MLSA), yet another euphemism for a military
bases agreement and a rehash of the Acquisition and Cross Servicing
Agreement (ACSA) entered into by President Ramos but roundly criticized
and rejected by nationwide protests.
Mrs. Macapagal is using the words “anti-terrorism” to make the public
gloss over the derogation of national sovereignty and gross violation
of the Philippine Contitution that is happening with Balikatan 02-1
and especially with the expansion of the supposed training excercises..
Mrs Macapagal should bare the full details and documentation of this
“sustained anti-terrorism program” and the MLSA so the public would
be able to scrutinize them and check for likely affronts to the national
sovereignty and violations of the Constitution.
If the Macapagal government truly intends to combat terrorism, it ought
not look any further than Malacañang and Camps Crame and Aguinaldo
because these are the places where various schemes of state-sponsored
terrorism are hatched against critics and political dissidents. These
are also the nesting places of shameless political opportunism, collusion,
corruption and puppetry to US imperialism are put ahead of the national
interest.
It is also rather unfortunate that Vice President Teofisto Guingona,
whose patriotic track record is a stark contrast to President Macapagal’s
pro-US puppetry, is being forced to quit his post as foreign affairs
secretary. Unfortunate, because it is another proof of the strings
that make the marionette move the way she is treating her own vice
president nowadays.
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