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PRESS RELEASE

April 15, 2012

Anakbayan slams arrest of four anti-Balikatan youths in Pampanga

The youth group Anakbayan condemned last night’s arrest of four of its members in Pampanga while putting up posters condemning this week’s Balikatan war games and the permanent U.S military presence in the country.

The four were arrested at Abacan Bridge on Balibago, Pampanga. They were identified as , all residents of the same province.

The Aquino administration is on full alert is quelling any and all forms of protest which would destroy their carefully-manufactured lie that Filipinos want ‘G.I Joe’ back in our shores again. After failing to get the public’s support through its hysterical hyping-up of the North Korean satellite launch and the territorial disputes with China, the government is now suppressing our freedom of speech and right to peaceful assembly instead” said Charisse Bañez, national secretary-general of Anakbayan.

“This is no different from the injustice of Filipinos being prevented from protesting in their own country’s territory just because it is near the American Embassy, and at the request of a foreign entity” she said, referring to the Philippine National Police’s unspoken policy of violently dispersing any and all protests near the Embassy in Manila.

This year’s war exercises, which have been regularly held in past years, will be the biggest ever in Balikatan history. This will be the first time the war games will be held simultaneously in different parts of the country. Aside from Central Luzon, related activities will be held in Palawan, Bicol, Mindanao, and even the National Capital Region.

“Contrary to its misleading name, the Balikatan is nothing more than an excuse to keep a permanent U.S military presence in the Philippines without a return to the much-hated era of U.S bases in our country. Furthermore, this is part of the Aquino regime’s propaganda offensive to make such a blatant violation of our sovereignty acceptable, or at the least, seemingly normal and harmless” said the youth leader.

“Nothing can be further from the truth. American soldiers have a long history of being a scourge to the Filipino people: from invading us while we were busy ending Spanish rule, to the bloody suppression of uprisings during their formal occupation, to providing assistance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ murderous operations” she added. ###


REFERENCE: Vencer Crisostomo, Anakbayan national chairperson, 09174416739 / 09224290258

#89 K7 Street corner Kalayaan Avenue, Quezon City
Website: anakbayan.org
Facebook.com/anakbayan
Twitter: @anakbayan_ph

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Oppose Aquino policy of greater US military presence through "Balikatan" exercises--CPP

Communist Party of the Philippines
April 15, 2012

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) urged the Filipino people to oppose the Aquino regime’s policy of national treachery in calling for increasing American military presence in the Phlippines through the Balikatan “joint exercises.” The CPP issued this statement as around 4,500 US soldiers are set to arrive in the Philippines to hold naval and other maneuvers starting tomorrow along the South China Sea off the coast of Palawan, in the general vicinity of the disputed Spratly islands.
 

“The so-called joint military exercises to be carried out this year by the US and Philippine governments are clear acts of power projection and military muscle flexing by the imperialist US government directed at China whose rising economic power, political influence and military strength are perceived by the US as threats to its aims of expanding and strengthening its hegemony over the Asia-Pacific region,” said the CPP.
 

The CPP denounced the Aquino regime for “deceiving the Filipino people into believing that allowing more American military troops in the Philippines will help enhance Philippine naval defense and capability to defend sovereignty. Aquino has stooped to the lowest levels of colonial submission in declaring that the Philippines can more effectively defend its sovereignty by putting it in the hands of his imperialist masters,” said the CPP.
 

“Aquino is revealing himself more and more to be a mendicant colonial vassal in allowing the US military to use Philippine territory as their own in exchange for a few discarded and obsolete US military surplus hardware and war materiél,” added the CPP. The CPP said further that the bargain sale of military surplus to the Philippines is being done by the US not because it seeks to help defend Philippine sovereignty. “The US military-industrial capitalists stand to benefit in the US-instigated push to build-up military strength by the Philippines and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.”
 

“In outright violation of its own constitution, the Aquino regime allows the US military to carry out combat operations in the Philippines by allowing it to fly surveillance drones to guide ground operations of the AFP, embed American troops in operating units of the AFP, deploy teams of American military advisers in AFP tactical command centers, carry out civilian-military operations and psywar activities, set up satellite and communications infrastructure and undertake other counterguerrilla-related activities.”
 

“In order to accomodate the US plan to increase the number of its troops rotating permanently across several countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the Aquino regime is currently seeking to provide the US with military facilities for the regular docking of American warships, for the operation and stationing of US military drones, for rest and recreation of thousands of US soldiers and to address the other needs of the US military.”
 

The CPP urged the Filipino people “to untiringly push for the abrogation of the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951, the Visiting Forces Agreement and other similar one-sided military agreements which violate the country’s national sovereignty.”
 

“The Filipino people must wage information and study campaigns to heighten the patriotic awareness of their history of anti-colonial and national liberation struggle. They must expose how the US military and government continue to trample on Philippine sovereingty in order to extend its hegemony over the Philippines and the entire Asia-Pacific.”
 

The CPP added: “They must wage mass campaigns in their communities, schools, factories and offices in order to collectively demonstrate their opposition to the puppetry of the Aquino regime and demand a stop to US military intervention in the Philippines.”
 

“The CPP further calls on all revolutionary forces to stand ground in defense of national sovereignty and raise the Filipino people’s determination to wage a patriotic armed resistance against the interventionist troops of the US imperialists.”
 

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Media Release
17 April 2012

Workers vow bigger, bolder protests vs Balikatan

“The Filipino workers and people vow to make US troops’ stay in the Philippines not fun!”

This was the statement of labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno as it vowed to hold bigger and bolder actions to denounce the ongoing US-RP Balikatan Exercises.

“US troops were never and would never be welcome in our country. We must not allow them to continue raping not only our women, but also our sovereignty and dignity as a nation,” KMU chairperson Elmer “Bong” Labog said.

“The growing presence of US military forces in our territory shows how the US dominates our country’s political, economic, and diplomatic affairs,” Labog added.

KMU also slammed the Aquino administration for using China’s encroachments into contested territory to justify expanding USintervention and military presence in the country.

“Aquino is a lousy hypocrite. He pretends to be patriotic by defending our claim in Scarborough against China while at the same time opening all 7,100 islands of the Philippines to be war playgrounds of the US,” Labog said.

“The Aquino administration would even fund the cost of operations of US troops in the country while Filipino tax payers, especially the poor, receive less and more expensive social services such as education and healthcare,” he added.

Protests welcomed the opening of the US-RP Balikatan Exercises yesterday, with youth groups defacing the US Embassy’s seal in a lightning rally, and patriotic groups holding a caravan from Manila to Pampanga and Tarlac. Similar anti-Balikatan protests were also held in other cities in Visayas and Mindanao.

“Yesterday’s protests are just appetizers. We assure the US that more daring and militant protests would hound their troops wherever they hold these exercises,” Labog said.

“We call on all nation-loving and patriotic Filipino workers and people to oppose the growing presence of US troops and the directUS intervention in the country. We must also condemn Aquino’s treachery against our national sovereignty and the Filipino people,” he concluded. ##

Reference: Elmer "Bong" Labog, KMU chairperson, 0908-1636597
 

IBON Infographic/ April 2012
US Military Operations in the Philippines, 2001-2011

The United States (US) recently declared a foreign policy pivot toward Asia involving greater economic, political and military engagement in the region. The shift however started as early as 2001 when its Quadrennial Defense Review proclaimed a shift to Asia and a corresponding increase in the US military presence through fixed bases, rotational deployments, training exercises and logistical arrangements.

The US called the Philippines its “second front [in the war on terrorism]” in January 2002 and has dramatically built up a nationwide military presence since then. The US military has made extensive use of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) to station some 600-700 special forces troops in the country and to bring in as much as 7,000 other soldiers at a time on so-called joint exercises, civil-military actions and relief operations. It has also used the Mutual Logistics and Support Agreement (MLSA) to establish military outposts and access war materiel for its forces.

The whole archipelago has been transformed into a US military base, which violates Philippine sovereignty and the 1987 Constitution.

Here is an infomaterial on the presence of US military in the country during the last decade since it launched its so-called war on terrorism.

Kalikasan Partylist
 

On the eve of US-PH Balikatan military exercises, Kalikasan Partylist joins today's protest-caravan from Manila to the former US military base in Angeles City, Pampanga. The protest-caravan aims to raise awareness on the negative social, political and environmental impacts of the 2012 Balikatan exercises.

"The military exercises have been proven to be enormously taxing on the environment and local communities. In the past Balikatan exercises, war and combat simulations which involved naval maneuverings and live fire exercises have caused coral reef destruction and ecological pollution. These activities also consumed massive resources like fossil fuels and released large volumes of toxic waste into air, land and sea," said Frances Quimpo, secretary-general of Kalikasan Partylist.

Happy hippies showed no love for US-PH Balikatan Exercises
By Kalikasan Partylist (Albums) · Updated on Sunday 15th

Photos by Kalikasan Partylist 

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KALIKASAN PEOPLE’S NETWORK FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
26 Matulungin St. Central Dist., Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines, 1100
Tel./Fax; net+63 (2) 924-8756; E-mail: kalikasan.pne@gmail.com
Website: www.kalikasan.net
Press Release
April 16, 2012

Green groups at the protest caravan against Balikatan exercises
US-PH military exercises will negatively impact marine and forest ecosystem in Palawan

On the eve of US-PH military exercises, environmental advocates join today the protest-caravan from Manila to the former US military base in Angeles City, Pampanga. The protest-caravan aims to raise awareness on the negative social, political and environmental impacts of the 2012 balikatan exercises.

Around 4,500 military troops from the US Pacific Command (USPACOM) will be joining 2,300 Filipino troops in the 28th PH-US Balikatan exercises that will be held from April 16-27. Most of the military exercises will be held in the Palawan province, widely acclaimed as the last ecological frontier of the country. Palawan is also the nearest landmass to the highly contested Spratlys group of islands.

“These military exercises have been proven to be enormously taxing on the environment and local communities. In the past Balikatan exercises, war and combat simulations which involved naval maneuverings and live fire exercises have caused coral reef destruction and ecological pollution. These activities also consumed massive resources like fossil fuels and released large volumes of toxic waste into air, land, and sea,” said Frances Quimpo, secretary-general of environmental political group Kalikasan Partylist.

In 2004, US Naval ships participating in Balikatan exercises were found to have indiscriminately discharged sewage waste and oil into the Subic Bay. There are also records where naval ships which participated in Balikatan exercises accidentally fired live ammunitions and ordnance into local communities like in Zambales province in 2000. In Cebu, young waste pickers were accidentally killed when they unknowingly acquired live ordnance left by military troops which participated in the exercises.

“These same military exercises will definitely exact a heavy toll on the pristine environment of Palawan and its surrounding marine ecology. Not only Palawenos but all Filipinos should oppose the anti-environment Balikatan exercises. The local government units in Palawan province and Puerto Princesa can declare their area as a Balikatan-military exercise free-zone like what Davao City did,” Quimpo said.

Philippine government and US embassy officials said the scheduled military exercises are meant to promote regional peace and security by ensuring interoperability and readiness of Philippine and US forces.

“Ecological damage, toxic wastes and live ordnance are among the dangerous effects of US military exercises on our country’s ecological health. During exercises, the military use live ammunitions, employ heavy bombardment, and use mammoth vehicles like tanks and ships. These have a massive ecological footprint that affects forests, mountains, and coastal areas. At the same time, these pollutive and wasteful activities endanger the safety and lives of communities near the exercise area,” explains Clemente Bautista Jr, national coordinator of Kalikasan PNE.

“For this reason alone, the Philippine government should stop conducting joint military exercises and abrogate the US-PH Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). The premise of VFA is to allow US military forces to engage in military exercises to take place all over the Philippines. We should protect our sovereign right to a healthful and balanced environment and stop the entry of US troops in our lands,” Bautista ended.###
--
CLEMENTE BAUTISTA
National Coordinator
Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE)
No.26 Matulungin St. Bgy. Central, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines 1100
Tel. No. +63-2-9248756 Fax No. +63-2-9209099
Email: kalikasan.pne@gmail.com
Website: www.kalikasan.org

April 17, 2012

For reference:
SHEENA DUAZO - 0949-627-0377
BAI ALI INDAYLA - 0917-424-2149

Mindanaoans hold cultural protest vs. RP-US Balikatan
As WestMinCom gathers for pro-US protest

Cotabato City - On the first day of Lakbayan Laban sa Balikatan, almost a thousand delegates arrived in Cotabato City for a cultural protest against the 2012 RP-US Balikatan Exercises.

Contingents led by Patriotiko Mindanao and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) from Southern Mindanao Region, North Cotabato, Sockskargends, and Cotabato City gathered inside Cotabato City State Polytechnic College on the first day of the protest caravan.

Various youth and cultural organizations held a number of song and dance numbers mirroring the patriotic stance of Mindanaoans against US intervention.

“We see the people’s defiance against cultural RP-US Balikatan. It is not a mere military exercise, it is a display of US interest to maintain a strong foothold in the Philippines,” said Sheena Duazo, BAYAN – Southern Mindanao spokesperson.

Balikatan Exercises is annually hosted by the Philippines based on the Mutual Defense Treaty signed between US and the Philippines in 1951. This month, more than 6,000 US troops will arrive in the country to participate in the military exercise.

Meanwhile, Lakbayan contingents reported to have received information that the Western Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines based in Camp Navarro, Zamboanga City are calling for the people to gather for a pro-US protest in time for the arrival of the Lakbayan participants in Zamboanga.

“Soldiers from Western Mindanao Command are organizing a pro-US rally Zamboanga City,” said Patriotiko Mindanao Bai Ali Indayla. “But we shall overcome this because we know that we are fighting for freedom and our national sovereignty,” she said.

The Lakbayan contingents is set to hold a protest action in 6th Infantry Division Camp Siongco, Awang, Maguindanao before proceeding to Pagadian for the second day of the caravan. #

Press Release
April 18, 2012

“HEY JOE, FILIPINAS ARE NOT FOR SALE!”—GABRIELA

Davao City --- “Filipinas are not for sale. We refuse to be used for your sexual comforts” said May Ann Sapar, spokesperson of Gabriela Southern Mindanao in an an all–women protest was staged today
lambasting the US Marines’ insult and denigration of Filipinas for its statement referring to “scantily clad women” as a source of “fun” in the country.

Gabriela slammed the silence of the Aquino government on the matter which the women activist group believes is “compromise” for more war materiel and logistical support being demanded by the Philippines from Washington.

“Clearly the 6,000 US troops in the country came here for war, and part of its war booty are the women who are being compromised in exchange for rusty and obsolete warships and fighter planes,” said
Sapar further demanding the immediate recall of all US troops recently deployed in the country.

Sapar said such massive troop deployment will lead to heightened prostitution and abuse of women, similar to the heydays of the US Army in Olongapo in the 1980’s.

“30,000 women work in brothels and bars in Olongapo in the 80’s. A big number were merely 14 to 16 years old. If Aquino and other leaders in government will not stop kowtowing the military agenda of the US government, then they will be judged in history for being accessory to the worst crime against women and children and for betraying their country,” said Sapar.

In their protest action, the women activists showcased nationalist poems and songs. A woman activist wearing a Filipiniana, a pen and a sword stood the middle of the crowd to demonstrate the revolutionary
and propagandist role of women in history and the present.

On April 16, a new round of Balikatan Exercises kicked off in Palawan while more than 600 US commandoes, out of the 6000, were deployed Mindanao.

PATRIYOTIKO Mindanao launched a Mindanao – wide Lakbayan Laban sa Balikatan with a 5000 - strong delegation to protest what it sees as a heightened US military intervention, marked with the biggest troop
mobilization since the US Army’s basing rights was inked unconstitutional during Cory Aquino’s time.

To date the Lakbayan delegation has reached 4,000. The delegation is expected to arrive at Zamboanga City today.

Sapar also lambasted 10th Infantry Battalion Leopoldo Galon who was quoted saying that US troops are “behaved.”

“As Philippine military officer, Col. Galon is expected to come to the defense of his masters. As the universal cliché goes, dogs should not bite the hand that feeds them. Galon should go ahead and tell it to
the marines,” said Sapar recounting the statement of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario that PhP 22 Billion has been funnelled to the government as military aid in the last decade.
 

On April 16, 2012, Bayan Canada along with ILPS Canada held a picket rally in front of the US consulate in Montreal. The demonstration was to coincide with the start of the Balikatan military exercises between the US and Philippine troops. It was also in solidarity with the actions lead by Bayan in the Philippines opposing Balikatan and calling for the end of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement.

U.S. TROOPS OUT OF THE PHILIPPINES! STOP THE BALIKATAN MILITARY EXECERCISES!

April 2012

Bayan Canada vehemently opposes the Balikatan exercises to be held this April 16th to the 27th in the Philippines. Balikatan, meaning shoulder-to-shoulder, refers to joint military exercises between the US and Philippines. The Philippine government justifies these exercises as being based on the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the 14- year-old Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the two countries.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III is hell bent on accommodating the "new" US defense strategy that entails a so-called "rebalance to Asia", including an increase in US military presence in the Philippines. With China's economic growth threatening US domination over the region, the Obama administration announced earlier this year the shift in its military focus away from Iraq and Afghanistan and to renew its commitment to re-asserting its position in the Asia-Pacific.

The Aquino government is betraying the 1991 Philippine Senate decision to shut down the US bases in the Philippines. Itsrecent dialogue with the US government lays down the groundwork for the consolidation of the Philippines as a key USmilitary base location, serving as a permanent staging ground for US military offensives, storage space for surveillance drones, resupply and refueling station for US warships and aircrafts, as well as rest and recreational facility for US servicemen.

The Aquino administration is aligning the Philippines with an American military strategy that will threaten peace in the entire Asia-Pacific region. In an effort to boost up its military-industrial complex at the expense of the surrounding countries, the US government is in fact provoking military aggression and creating a war-like situation against China.

While Bayan Canada along with the Filipino people are for a peaceful resolution to territorial and maritime disputes with other nations, we are opposed to the use or threat of force from any party including China. With the buildup of US military forces in the region, the disputes are exacerbated and tension rises. The US is only out for its own hegemonic interests in the region and not for the security and prosperity of the Filipino people.

Recent news reports claim that more than twenty-two thousand people will benefit from the Balikatan through civil-military operations during the exercises. Promises of new schools and clinics built in far flung areas and medical and dental treatments offered by US and Philippine forces during the military exercises are the usual protocol for “winning hearts and minds” by American forces during occupations. Worse, these practices have been exposed as nothing more than intelligence gathering for US and Philippine forces.

The Filipino people will not be fooled by candy-coated military invasions. We ask our compatriots in Canada along with our friends and allies to join our voices with the Filipino people in demanding an abrogation of the VFA and the immediate withdrawal of US troops from the Philippines.

Junk the VFA!
US troops out now!

Reference: Joey Calugay bayan.canada.noc@gmail.com 514-342-2111

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TROUPES ÉTATS-UNIENNES HORS DES PHILIPPINES! CESSEZ LES EXERCICES MILITAIRES «BALIKATAN»!

Avril 2012

Bayan Canada s'oppose avec véhémence les exercices «Balikatan» qui auront lieu du 16 au 27 avril aux Philippines. Le mot «Balikatan», qui signifie «épaule à épaule», se réfère aux exercices militaires conjoints menés par les États-Unis et les Philippines. Le gouvernement philippin justifie ces exercices comme étant fondée sur le Traité de défense mutuelle et l’Accord des forces en visite établi il y a 14 ans entre les deux pays.

Le président des Philippines, Benigno Aquino III, veut à tout prix accueillir la "nouvelle" stratégie de défense étatsunienne, qui vise un soi-disant "rééquilibrage vers l'Asie" et comprend, entre autres, une augmentation de la présence militaire étatsunienne aux Philippines. En raison de la menace que constitue la croissance économique de la Chine pour la domination états-unienne dans la région, le gouvernement Obama a annoncé, plus tôt cette année, un changement d’orientation militaire des États-Unis, qui s’éloigneraient de l'Irak et de l'Afghanistan et renouvelleraient leur engagement à réaffirmer leur position dans la région Asie-Pacifique.

Le gouvernement Aquino viole ainsi la décision de 1991 du Sénat philippin de fermer les bases états-uniennes aux Philippines. Son récent dialogue avec le gouvernement états-unien a préparé le terrain pour faire en sorte que les Philippines deviennent un lieu crucial d’établissement de bases militaires états-uniennes, servant de base arrière des offensives militaires états-uniennes, d’abri pour les drones de surveillance, de point ravitaillement en materiel pour les troupes et en combustible pour les navires de guerre et les avions, ainsi que de lieu de repos et de loisirs pour les militaires états-uniens.

Le gouvernement Aquino est en train d'aligner les Philippines sur une stratégie militaire états-unienne qui menace la paix dans l'ensemble de la région Asie-Pacifique. Afin de stimuler son complexe militaro-industriel au détriment des pays voisins, le gouvernement états-unien est, en fait, en train de provoquer une agression militaire et de créer une situation de guerre contre la Chine.

Notre organisation, Bayan Canada, comme l’ensemble du peuple philippin, souhaite une résolution pacifique des différends territoriaux et maritimes avec les autres pays, nous sommes opposés à l'utilisation ou à la menace d’utilisation de la forcepar toute partie, y compris la Chine. L’accumulation des forces militaires états-uniennes dans la région exacerbe lesconflits, et la tension monte. Les États-Unis ne visent qu’à satisfaire leurs propres intérêts hégémoniques dans la région et non ceux concernant la sécurité et la prospérité du peuple philippin.

Des rapports de presse récents affirment que plus de vingt-deux mille personnes bénéfieront des opérations civilo-militaires réalisés dans le cadre des exercices «Balikatan». Les promesses de nouvelles écoles et de cliniques construites dans les zones les plus reculées, de traitements médicaux et dentaires offerts par les forces états-uniennes et philippines durant les exercices militaires sont la méthode habituelle qu’utilisent les forces états-uniennes pour "gagner les cœurs et les esprits" lors des occupations. Pire encore, ces pratiques ont été dénoncées comme n’étant rien d’autre que des operations de collecte de renseignements par les forces états-uniennes et philippines.

Le peuple philippin ne sera pas dupé par des invasions militaires enrobées de sucreries. Nous demandons à nos compatriotes vivant au Canada, ainsi qu’à nos amis et à nos allies, de se joindre à nous et au peuple philippin pour exiger l'abrogation de l’Accord des forces en visite et le retrait immédiat des troupes états-uniennes des Philippines.

À bas l’Accord des forces en visite!
 

Troupes U.S., hors des Philippines!

Contact : Joey Calugay - bayan.canada.noc@gmail.com - 514-342-2111

News Statement
April 16, 2012

Reference: Bernadette Ellorin, Chairperson, BAYAN USA, email: chair@bayanusa.org

US Intervention, NOT CHINA, is the Greatest Threat to Peace & Security in the Philippines-- BAYAN USA
 

Filipino-American Alliance Calls Aquino Gov't to Junk the VFA, Stop Balikatan Exercises

As today marks the formal opening of the 28th US-Philippine Balikatan (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) Exercises in Palawan, Filipino-Americans across the US, under the banner of BAYAN USA, are joined by their American allies in condemning intensifying US military intervention in the Philippines as the greatest threat to peace and security in the country and the Asia-Pacific region.

US is the Real Bully

Contrary to Washington's line, the Chinese government is not flexing its military might to bully other countries in the region in order to expand its economic interests. It is the US government that fits said description, as US military's so-called "rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region" is motivated by the Obama administration campaign to push the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a new free trade agreement akin to NAFTA that would ensure US economic and political domination in the region, as well as contain super rival China's emerging economic power and growth.

Decades of US military presence in the Philippines in the name of peace-keeping and anti-terrorism have proven that it is the US troops, not China, that are guilty of pointing their own guns at Filipino civilians, raping Filipino women and children, patronizing and encouraging sex tours and increased prostitution, polluting and destroying the environment, requiring the massive displacement of rural communities in order to accommodate their military operations, advising and training the same Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) documented and denounced by international human rights organizations as perpetrating gross human rights abuses in the country, not to the least of which is the blatant violation and disrespect to Philippine national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Under Obama, the Philippines is now being used as testing grounds for US drone air strikes, in line with its historical role as a strategic launching pad and fueling station for US military offensives in nearly all of its wars of aggression. The US is also hyping up anti-China sentiment in the region by intervening in regional territorial disputes over the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, of which China is a stakeholder, clearly aimed at provoking military aggression with the Philippines at the crosshairs.

Hearts and Minds Campaign

Characteristic of this year's Balikatan Exercises is the so-called focus on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HA/DR), including a Civil-Military Operations (CMO) component that started in March 12 with an engineering program to construct schools and facilities in the most marginalized areas of Palawan. Reminiscent of the same tactics used by the US military campaign to "win the hearts and minds" of the Vietnamese people and gather popular support for direct US military intervention during the Vietnam War, the HA/DR focus of the Balikatan Exercises is actually in line with the 2009 US State Department's Counter-Insurgency (US COIN) Guide. The said US COIN guide purports the need for a population-centric approach, or low-intensity conflict (LIC), wherein "the margin of victory will be measured in far different terms than the wars of our past. The allegiance, trust, and confidence of populations will be the final arbiters" as stated by US Army General William B. Caldwell IV in the US Army Field Manual on population-centric COIN.

With a strong Philippine movement for sovereignty and democracy gaining ground, including an armed revolutionary movement popular with the country's poor and explicit in its aim to fundamentally change the current failing system in favor of a self-sufficient system implementing genuine land reform and national industrialization, the US government is driven to apply LIC tactics to win support away from the cause national liberation and keep the Philippines as its most reliable hub for power projection in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. The US government, and its ruling financial oligarchy, is also driven to maintain the Philippines as a valuable export position for vast natural resources and cheap human labor power in the midst of a worsening global economic crisis it is grappling, but failing, to overcome.

NoyNoy's Bankruptcy Exposed

The US-Aquino regime is becoming increasingly isolated as its promise of change is exposing itself as bankrupt through Aquino's inaction and "NoyNoying" over crucial domestic matters of public interest requiring attention. At the same time Aquino unflinchingly steps to the plate to bat for Uncle Sam's quest to rattle his saber in the region under the deceptive line of defending the region against China.

It is obvious that Aquino is desperate to keep enjoying the spoils of US puppetry by continuing US-funded state repression against civilians who criticize his policies and championing the US government's initial steps toward direct US military intervention in the country in the face of a raging civil war between those wanting to maintain the status quo, and those wanting to change the system and build a brighter future.

It is in this regard that BAYAN USA calls on all in the US who are burdened by the effects of the economic crisis to hold the Obama administration accountable for its maneuvers to invest billions in beefing up it military presence in the Asia-Pacific region through expanding its network of military bases, facilities, operations, and agreements in the region when it could be investing in jobs, education, healthcare, housing, and social services for the American people. We call on all who are against US wars of aggression to demand the Obama administration withdraw its military presence in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region. We call on all in the US who have been victimized by US counter-insurgency, including COINTELPRO, and the onslaught of repressive legislation criminalizing dissent and curtailing democratic rights to condemn US counter-insurgency in the Philippines, home to the world's longest-running armed revolution against US imperialism. Lastly, we call on all who are for freedom to stand in solidarity with the Filipino people's struggle for genuine national sovereignty and democracy, a mass movement so widespread and historical in its challenge to US imperialist power projection in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

US TROOPS OUT OF THE PHILIPPINES
JUNK THE VISITING FORCES AGREEMENT
STOP THE BALIKATAN EXERCISES
UPHOLD PHILIPPINE SOVEREIGNTY
LONG LIVE INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY

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BAYAN-USA is an alliance of 15 progressive Filipino organizations in the U.S. representing youth, students, women, workers, artists, and human rights advocates. As the oldest and largest overseas chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-Philippines), BAYAN-USA serves as an information bureau for the national democratic movement of the Philippines and as a campaign center for anti-imperialist Filipinos in the U.S. For more information, visit www.bayanusa.org

Bayan USA, International League of Peoples Struggle (ILPS) and International Action Center (IAC) protest against the resumption of "Balikatan Exercises and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) in the Philippines inside the lobby of the New York Philippine Consulate.
 

For Immediate Release