LFS: We want our bwisitas out of the Philippines

Despite a brutal dispersal last week, about 100 youth and students returned to the US Embassy in Manila today to continue calling for the junking of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Last February 25, six students were badly injured and others were hurt after police from the Western Police District used their shields to break up a student led march towards the Embassy.

“We are returning to the US Embassy today not because we want another clash with the Police, but because we demand the junking of the VFA, which is an agreement that undermines our country’s sovereignty and independence,” said Terry Ridon, spokesperson of the League of Filipino Students (LFS), which led today’s protest.

Ridon explained that the VFA has allowed US Soldiers to station themselves indefinitely in the Philippines, making the country a base for its operations.

“Filipinos have a term for unwelcome visitors, bwisitas, and the US troops fit it perfectly. And though our country is known for its hospitality, we can’t be kind to criminals and rapists,” said Ridon.

The youth leader also slammed the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for what he described as “the president’s continued subservience to US interests.”

“Despite the growing anti-VFA sentiment among the people, our government continues to allow the VFA and cover their eyes from the fact that our country is being held hostage by the US,” Ridon said.

The protesters vowed to continue holding protests at the US Embassy until the VFA is junked and the country pursues an “independent foreign policy.”

“Though the threat of a brutal dispersal remains, we can not remain quiet while we see our country raped and exploited by foreign troops and so we shall continue this campaign for the junking of the VFA and all other unfair agreements between the Philippines and the US, said Ridon. ###

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