The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Progressive groups expressed support for President Duterte’s declaration of an independent foreign policy, as they urged him to “do a Dirty Dozen” and reject US military domination, just as the 12 senators did in the “historic vote” that booted out US military bases, 25 years ago on Sept. 16, 1991.
In a protest at the US embassy in Manila, progressive groups commemorated the Senate rejection that ended 40 years of US military presence in the Philippines, as they called on Mr. Duterte to order the pullout of US troops and bases from all over the country.
On Sept. 16, 1991, the Senate voted 12-11, to reject the renewal of the “RP-US Bases Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Peace,” which needed 16 votes for ratification.
This closed down all US military bases in accordance with the Philippines Constitution, which bans foreign troops and bases, unless on the strength of a Senate-ratified treaty.
In the succeeding years, however, new defense agreements were signed between the two countries, allowing the entry and basing by US troops.
Recently, progressives were heartened to hear their calls echoed from the highest post in the land, when Mr. Duterte called for a pullout of the remaining US troops under the Joint Special Operations-Task Force Philippines (JSOTFP) based in Zamboanga City. Earlier, at the Asean summit in Laos, the President also criticized the US for its atrocities during the Philippine-American War.
Such strong words for national sovereignty and against foreign dominating powers were never heard from a Philippines president since Andres Bonifacio, the Father of the Philippines Revolution, in 1896, the progressives, quick to applaud, said.
“We join the President in holding the US to account for atrocities committed during its colonization of the Philippines. We support his call for the withdrawal of US troops from Mindanao.
However, he must go further if he truly wants to pursue an independent foreign policy,” said Renato Reyes Jr. secretary-general of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).
Foremost is to revoke the Enhanced Defense Cooperative Agreement (Edca) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which has allowed the entry and basing of US forces in the country, Reyes said.
This year, the Supreme Court declared Edca constitutional, being an executive agreement and within presidential powers to sign, as well as discontinue.
“The ball is now in the President’s court,” said Joms Salvador, Gabriela secretary general.
“Hinahamon namin si Pangulong Duterte, na tumindig para sa bayan, tumindig para sa kababaihan, at itindig ang malayang Pilipinas [We challenge President Duterte to stand for the people, stand for women, establish a free Philippines],” said Salvador.