Thursday, 28 April 2011 11:13
Rep. Teodoro Casiño (Party-list, BAYAN MUNA) said the visit of two US Senators to Subic and the swirling talk of a possible return of US forces in the wake of the stalled buildup of posts in Japan and Guam will not sit well for a country that rejected the extension of the military bases' stay in 1991.
"We will not allow the return of the US or any foreign bases in the Philippines as this will be an affront to our independence and sovereignty," Casiño said.
Rep. Raymond Palatino (Party-list, KABATAAN) said that if the prospect of a return is true, this is an irony.
"We are celebrating this year the 20th anniversary of the historic Senate vote rejecting the US bases treaty in 1991. Instead of welcoming the return of G.I. Joe, we should continue to assert our sovereignty and independence," Palatino said.
Palatino expressed hope that the Senate will review the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and urged President Benigno Aquino III to make a clear-cut position on the issue.
"I challenge PNoy to make a definite stand rejecting the return of the US bases," Palatino said.
Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan (Party-list, GABRIELA) believed that the visit of the US Senators is highly suspicious.
"Why Subic and why at this time when the VFA is due for review?" asked Ilagan.
Ilagan said the conflicts in the Middle East and the recent resurgence of China's interest in the Spratlys are developments which can rock USA’s political and military dominance.
"The US would want to retain a base or stronghold in the Philippines, which has a strategic location in Asia. The return of the bases formalizes and extends the VFA," Ilagan said.
US Senators Daniel Inouye and Thad Cochran visited the Subic free port on Tuesday and consulted with officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Olongapo City to see the success of the free port, which the Americans left 20 years ago.
source: www.congress.gov.ph
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