Progressive organizations protest against ‘un-mutual treaties’ during Clinton visit

 Progressive organizations protest against ‘un-mutual treaties’ during Clinton visit

By MARYA SALAMAT

Bulatlat.com
MANILA – There is freedom of expression according to the Philippine Constitution, but according to the marchers who protested the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the country, the Aquino government is “giving more priority to Clinton’s stature rather than the Filipinos’ rights.” The protesters who came from various progressive organizations were twice barred by the police from marching nearer toward the US Embassy Tuesday, hours before Clinton’s scheduled arrival. The protesters were thus forced to hold their program, which included burning a US flag, along Kalaw Avenue.

Warning the Filipinos to “beware of the US government’s make-believe friendship,” the progressive groups said Hillary Clinton’s visit is “more for strengthening the lopsided US-Philippine relationship, enhancing the means with which the US can further take advantage of the Philippines, and attacking our sovereignty.” The protesters held their program inches away from columns of shield and baton-wielding members of the police.

Broken promises

After 60 years of Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and “broken promises” about helping to develop the Philippines, particularly its armed forces, Renato Reyes Jr. of Bayan said, Filipinos have “no more illusions” that it can ever be of real help. In fact, after decades of this “myth of cooperation and reciprocity,” he pointed to the Philippines being “shamefully the most backward in the region” as proof of MDTs’ utter uselessness for the country.

Protesters show their sentiments.(Photo by Marya Salamat / bulatlat.com)

The MDT was forged when the US government used the Cold War as justification for dragging the Philippines into wars, Reyes said.

“The MDT which made the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) possible, and which Benigno Aquino III had promised to review while campaigning for the presidency because of its many problematic provisions, is still not reviewed up to now– over a year since he became president,” said Reyes.

In a statement, Bayan has previously said, “Mutuality and reciprocity are the biggest myths fostered by the MDT and the VFA. These instruments are in place primarily to secure support for US hegemonic interests in the region and not for anything else.” They also urged the Philippine government to “wake up from the pipe-dream that we are treated as equals and with respect by the US.”

Clinton will announce new support for the Philippines in her latest visit, based on an Agence France-Presse report. Officials accompanying Clinton on her trip to “key allies” in the Pacific were quoted as saying she would hold talks with President Benigno Aquino III and tour a warship..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/11/16/progressive-organizations-protest-against-un-mutual-treaties-during-clinton-visit/