 PREVIOUS |
Members of the militant women's group GABRIELA staged simultaneous protest actions in key cities nationwide against the Visiting Forces Agreement today, the eve of the 7th year anniversary of the rejection of the 1991 US-RP Military Bases.
In Metro Manila, GABRIELA members marched to the US Embassy along Roxas Blvd. chanting "U.S. Out! No visiting forces allowed!" The women protesters carried anti-VFA detergent bars, basins and 'palo-palo' (laundry paddles) and portrayed the VFA as an "agent that will further blemish the already crisis-stained situation of Filipino women".
GABRIELA asserts that "it is time for Filipino women to unite against an agreement that imperils the security and lives of all Filipinos especially women and children".
"As Filipinos we are against VFA as it undermines our sovereignty. As
women we strongly oppose VFA as it will only exacerbate the commodification
of women and children" said Liza Maza, National Secretary General of GABRIELA.
"The US-dictated neo-liberal policies being bannered as globalization has
caused an overwhelming crisis that, in turn, created a continuous supply of
women and children made desperate. Likewise, the presence of US military servicemen
in 22 ports all over the country via VFA will only create an increased demand
for prostitution." Ms. Maza added.
Women's protest actions against VFA took different forms nationwide. In Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue in Cebu, militant women staged a 'recorida' while GABRIELA Negros led a 'streetmarch' in Bacolod City. While women conducted a 'noise barrage' in Iloilo City and the militant women's group in Davao City sent barraged senators with telegrams to vote against VFA. GABRIELA Networks in Los Angeles, USA and Vancouver, Canada are holding similar anti-VFA actions.