We stood firm against the ratification of the Military Bases Agreement in 1991. No amount of work, child care or household chores had stopped us from raising our voices in the streets, in the mass media, and in the halls of the Senate. We remain steadfast in our commitment against any and all forms of US military intervention. We vow to this again with the pending ratification of a far-worse US-RP Visiting Forces Agreement.
Never again shall we allow US military personnel to violate, degrade and rape our women and children for their unlimited pleasure and with impunity. The Visiting Forces Agreement allows indefinite US military presence anywhere in the country which will turn this archipelago into mini-islands of prostitution. So are we alarmed with the spread of AIDS and increase the number of Amerasian children abandoned by their fathers.
Never again shall we allow weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, chemical and biological) to be brought into the country. They pose grave danger not only to the environment but also to our people. Accidents and spills will most likely happen, not to mention the toxic wastes the military vessels will dump in our shores. We refuse to allow this condition that will endanger the lives our children.
Never again shall we allow the unhampered entry and movement of US troops in Philippine territory (click link to view map) as these trample upon our country's sovereignty. We do not want "visitors" who will likely stay permanently. Their continued presence in our country could easily draw us into war with our neighbors and even compel us to fight wars of aggression. In that eventuality, we women and our children suffer most.
We are aware that both the United States and the Estrada administration are moving fast to have the Visiting Forces Agreement ratified. This is insane. The welfare of our people must come first before that of a foreign power. And so we challenge the members of the Senate, in the name of all the women and children in this country, to give us the numbers to thwart this insanity forever. We expect especially our women senators to lead the way.
We made it in 1991. We will do it again in 1998. One hundred years ago, in 1898, women fought doubly hard with men in resisting the presence of the first American soldiers in the Philippines. The fight continues to this day.
GABRIELA calls on you to make a similar stand
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For further information, please contact:
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GABRIELA National Alliance of Women |
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Telephone Numbers
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(632)371.2302 (632)374.3451 (632)374.3452 |
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Fax Number
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(632)924.6901 |
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