SOUTHERN TAGALOG WOMEN TROOP TO US EMBASSY; CALL FOR IMMEDIATE EXIT OF US TROOPS
Posted by gabrielatk on March 6, 2009
“Hindi kami titigil. There will be no stopping us from making our protest against the Visiting Forces Agreement and the presence of US troops in our country known.”
This was according to Leona Entena Gabriela Women’s Party Vice Chairperson for Luzon and GABRIELA Laguna chairperson as women from the Southern Tagalog region trooped to the US embassy today.
“The VFA has brought much violence and abuse to women, children and communities where US troops hold their military exercises, rest and recreation activities as well as their so-called socio-civic activities. Their continued presence in our country, from Mindanao to Bicol and even in Cavite in the Southern Tagalog region is a threat to women and children” said Entena.
Protesters from Southern Tagalog said they do not want to experience the threat and violence of the presence of US troops in their communities. “The way that they have meddled with and interfered with political economic and social affairs, as well as the delivery of services in communities in Mindanao. This outright interference and trampling of our sovereignty is slowly spreading to other regions and we must not allow this to happen.”
Balikatan military exercises are slated to be conducted not just in Bicol but in Sangley Point and Ternate in Cavite as well.
“The presence of US troops is a testament of the Arroyo government’s subservience to US interests and her inutility to the pleas of women, children and communities. We demand that this outright offensive on our sovereignty, national security be stopped immediately.”
For Reference: Leona Entena (09106660574)
Gabriela Women’s Party Vice Chairperson for Luzon
GABRIELA Laguna chairperson
