Good Riddance

The US canceled (PDI story) the balikatan exercises because

"The annual military exercises in 2007 under the Balikatan would be canceled. The reason is the current custody issue. The usual protection for US servicemen remains in doubt,"

"He said that if the Philippines cannot ensure the protection of US military personnel, it wouldn’t be prudent to bring in US troops to the country."

What kind of bullshit is this? The Philippines cannot ensure the protection of US military personnel. The US itself cannot ensure the protection of US personnel (see Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam).

Can the US ensure that no Filipino civilian will be harmed by any US troop that will participate in the balikatan? I think not. Any blanket assurance of the protection of military personnel is just stupid.

This is why the United States is seen negatively all over the world. They invade their enemies and bully their allies, especially the week ones. A US soldier was convicted of a crime. The custody of the soldier is now in dispute. Rather than following the procedures laid out by the agreement between the Philippines and the US. The US exerts extra pressure on the Philippine government to get their way.

They are canceling the balikatan. I say good riddance. And do not come back!!!!

Anniversary

At left is the design of my shirt circa 1990's when I was active in the campaign against the ratification of the treaty that would have retained the United States' control over certain Philippine territories.

There were a lot of warning from pro-US bases advocate at that time that the Philippines or at least the communities around the US bases will suffer economic dislocation if the US forces withdrew from their bases in the Philippines.

These warnings did not happen partly through the efforts of the communities themselves who worked hard to overcome the loss of the American presence in their midst.

I would like to again thank the 12 senators who voted against the bases treaty.

1. Jovito Salonga
2. Wigberto Tanada
3. Teofisto Guingona
4. Rene Saguisag
5. Victor Ziga
6. Sotero Laurel
7. Ernesto Maceda
8. Agapito Aquino
9. Juan Ponce Enrile
10. Joseph Estrada
11. Orlando Mercado
12. Aquilino Pimentel