[BAYAN, New Patriotic Alliance]
Office: 23 Maamo Street, Sikatuna Village
Quezon City, Philippines 1101
Tel. Nos. [632] 4359151, 9225211
Telefax Nos. [632] 9225211
Email: [email protected]
Webpage: www.geocities.com/bayanorg/
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As its partners in the broad OUT NOW! alliance staged rallies in Mendiola, the US Embassy and in Davao City, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today questioned the ""legality, binding character and poisonous provisions"" of the Terms of Reference reportedly approved yesterday by US and Philippine officials.
Bayan Spokesperson Renato M. Reyes Jr. said "only the minutes of Vice President Teofisto Guingona''s meeting with a functionary of the US State Department were approved with the TOR relegated to a mere appendix."
"Would this be binding on both parties? Is this not an insult to our sovereignty? Does this not open the floodgates to misinterpretations by the US troops?" asked Reyes.
Reyes said that Part A Number 8 of the TOR "gives US troops a blanket authority to fire when they see fit and under the pretext of self-defense."
"This provision has the terrifying vagueness that may be given a different meaning by US troops. This might render useless assurances that they will not fight members of the Moro and Communist armed revolutionary movements," said Reyes.
"Besides, the TOR and statements issued by Philippine government officials have admitted that the Balikatan will use the Abu Sayyaf as live and legitimate targets without any formal treaty or agreement governing it and in direct violation of sovereignty," he said. ,p> Other way out
Bayan, Junk VFA Movement and OUT NOW! are batting a "solution to the Abu Sayyaf problem without resorting to US military intervention."
Reyes said that "the most important step is being missed and glossed over by Malaca��ang. This is putting a stop to the collusion between the Abu Sayyaf and certain military and civilian officials who cash in on ransom payments and have allowed the bandits to break free from repeated encirclements."
"Unfortunately, the puppet character of the Arroyo government has taken precendence over the resolution of this festering problem of collusion," said Reyes. ###