The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today questioned the presence of fully-armed United States Special Forces in Indanan town, Sulu province in Southern Philippines. The province has been the site of heavy fighting over the past few days which has claimed the lives of at least 27 Philippine troops.
"Why are US troops involved in actual combat missions in Sulu? The sight of fully armed US troops traveling in the Philippine military convoy is a clear indication that the Americans are there for actual combat and military intervention," said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.
"Even if the US and Philippine governments deny that US troops are engaged in actual combat, the fact that the Americans are in the middle of the war zone makes them de facto part of the fighting. The Americans have no business participating in the fighting in Sulu. They should not be anywhere near that war zone to begin with," Reyes said.
United Sates officials claim that the US troops will only fire when fired upon and are there to provide assistance to the Philippine military.
"The presence of American troops in Sulu now raises questions on the real intent of the ongoing fighting in the region. Is the Sulu offensive intended to give American troops "on-the-job" training? in so-called counter-terror operations" Was the fighting actually provoked and escalated by the Philippine government just so the Americans will have a reason to engage in actual combat in Sulu? Is fighting a vain attempt to justify the escalation of the US-led war on terror in the Philippines?" Reyes asked.
"Are we now to prepare for expanded US military intervention? Will there be more US troops deployed in Mindanao, ala-Vietnam, as the war rages??" Reyes added.
Bayan believes that both the Philippine and US governments are violating the Philippine constitution and circumventing the Visiting Forces Agreement by allowing foreign troops to intervene in domestic affairs such as the Sulu fighting. "?What they are doing is illegal, dangerous and against national interest," Reyes said.
"The so-called intelligence work being done by these US troops are part and parcel of actual combat operations. The fact that the Americans are out in the field fully armed and embedded in Philippine military units shows that GI Joe is more than just an adviser and observer," Reyes said.
Bayan says that the American troops must be pulled out from the Philippines and prevented from engaging in any further combat action.
Peacetalks
- GPH undermines basic peace agreements, refuses to respect and comply with JASIG
- Compliance with JASIG and the Oslo Joint Statements is not a precondition but an obligation
- GPH Negotiating Panel Chairperson Padilla gives notice of no formal talks next month
- Closing statement on the GPH-NDFP formal peace talks in Oslo
- Peace panels hold preliminary informal meetings in Hong Kong
Human Rights
- Aquino violated every key labor right this year – KMU
- “Stop the killings, violence and intimidation in Pangarap Village!”
- PH election to UN rights council called an embarrassment
- CHR report on Melissa Roxas practically clears AFP in torture -- Bayan
- BAYAN condemns killing of local leader in Batangas
Workers
- [2 + 2 talks] Aquino, a modern-day Aguinaldo – KMU
- Gov’t trying to dupe public with flawed employment definition – KMU
- Workers to keep watch on Corona impeachment trial
- Protesta mga magsasaka, sasalubungin ng mga manggagawa at mamamayan
- A day before Congress committee meeting Solons told: Stop Cha-cha
Peasants
- Vested interests taint Aquino’s Candidacy ABSTENTION FROM CARPER VOTE IN ’09 REVEALS REAL AGENDA
- Farmers, youth to Noynoy: Expect more protests for Hacienda Luisita Issue
- Noynoy should take responsibility and rectify the failure of the Corazon Aquino administration to implement genuine agrarian reform – Satur
- NORMIN FARMERS JOINS HACIENDA LUISITA STRUGGLE, URGES NOYNOY TO JUNK MEMO
- Land reform, justice for rights victims key to resolving Luisita conflict
Youth & Students
- UP student councils tag Noynoy as Arroyo’s heir
- KABATAAN Partylist remembers Beng Hernandez, writer martyr
- KABATAAN Partylist STORMS COMELEC: DEMANDS RESUMPTION OF VOTER’S REGISTRATION
- UP Students Dance Against Cha-Cha
- Christian Students Dismayed Over Dismissal of Petition for Writ of "Landmark Cases"
Women& Children
- [2 + 2 talks] Aquino, a modern-day Aguinaldo – KMU
- Gov’t trying to dupe public with flawed employment definition – KMU
- Workers to keep watch on Corona impeachment trial
- Protesta mga magsasaka, sasalubungin ng mga manggagawa at mamamayan
- A day before Congress committee meeting Solons told: Stop Cha-cha
Imperialism
- Bayan tells Aquino: “US troops already basing in PH”
- No to extension and expansion of US military operations in PH!
- US military buildup is biggest threat to regional peace – Bayan
- End imperialist plunder, repression and war! Defend Philippine sovereignty and patrimony against the onslaught of imperialism!
- Bayan holds rally to mark 20th anniversary of bases treaty rejection
