PRESS RELEASE
July 4, 2010

With two RP soldiers dead in the course of US-RP military exercises
P-Noy dared to reject the VFA

“Pres. Aquino must exact complete justice for the deaths of two Filipinos, US-employed interpreter Gregan Cardeño and AFP Captain Javier Ignacio, in the course of US-RP military exercises. A rejection of the VFA must be in order,” This was the statement of Terry Ridon, national chairperson of the League of Filipino Students, as hundreds of students and youth joined the lightning protest in front of the US Embassy against the Visiting Forces Agreement and US intervention in Philippine affairs.

Ridon said that the continued implementation of the VFA was an affront to the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, due to the permanent presence of US troops, the establishment of encampments in different parts of the country, and the engagement in military operations of US personnel.

He also said US troops are given preferential status in the Philippine criminal justice system under the VFA, as seen in the eventual acquittal of L/Cpl. Daniel Smith

Recently, the Philippine Supreme Court issued a writ of habeas data to US and RP military officials to shed light on the murders of Cardeño and Ignacio allegedly in the course of US-RP military exercises. The US and Philippine military had denied any wrongdoing.

The VFA is a treaty that was signed by former President Joseph Estrada but had been met with staunch criticism and protests since its ratification. To this day, different groups continue to challenge the constitutionality of the VFA, for not being considered as a treaty by the other contracting state, the United States, and violating sovereignty provisions.

“Mr. President, there can be no genuine change without a rejection of US military intervention in Philippine soil. We cannot forever be under the beck and call of the Americans.”###

Photo courtesy by: Danny Pata