News
Release
September 16, 1999
TODAY, the League of
Filipino Students (LFS), along with other student
organizations staged a sit-down picket in front of the
Gate 7 of Malacaņang, condemning the maneuvers of the
Estrada Government to amend the Charter. The picket
coincided with the 9th year anniversary of the withdrawal
of the US Military Bases in the Philippines. "We are
gathered here today to commemorate one of the victories
of the Filipino nation against US Imperialism,"
stated Noel Colina, LFS National Chairperson.
"We are here to affirm our commitment to continue the struggle against the one-sided Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA)." The VFA will allow entry of US vehicles, troops and armaments in the country, making the whole archipelago one big military base. The Senate approved the VFA last May 27despite the public uproar against the treaty.
The rallyists also attacked the Estrada government for its effort to amend the Charter. The LFS asserted that the effort to delete the remaining nationalist provisions in the present constitution runs inimical to the public interest. "The present regime wants to erase all the constitutional hindrances in order to facilitate the sell-out of our national patrimony to foreign monopoly capitalism and to perpetuate those in power. Alongside these will be repressive laws like the reincarnation of the anti-subversion law and the legalization of warrantless arrest and other fascist measures." Colina added.
According to Colina, the Constitutional Correction for Development or CONCORD is not only a sell-out of our national patrimony but will also allow the entry of nuclear armaments into Philippine soil. "Kasabay ng pagsagasa ng Jeep ni Erap sa media at sa ating mga kalayaang sibil, sakay-sakay naman nito ang mga mapamuksang armas nukleyar ng dayuhang amo," added Colina. There remain certain provisions in our constitution, which will serve as stumbling block to the full implementation of the VFA.
The present Charter does not allow entry of nuclear weapons and this run contrary to certain provisions in the VFA like the non-inspection of ships coming in Philippine territory. "It is a well known fact that American warships carry in them nuclear weapons and to avoid the Manila Hotel fiasco happening all over again, Estrada wants to remove any hindrances," said Colina.
According to the LFS, the VFA and CONCORD will work hand in hand. "Behind these two menace is the smirking face of Imperialism. Through the VFA and CONCORD, the Imperialist, particularly the US Imperialist will not only strengthen their grip on our economy through further liberalization of the economy but will also tighten the noose on our neck by increasing their military presence in our country through the VFA."
The LFS also promised to pursue the case filed by the JUNK VFA Movement in the Supreme Court. "The posture of the present regime, its approval of the VFA and the maneuvers to delete the remaining nationalist provisions in the constitution clearly tell of its subservience to imperialist interest.
The attacks on media and our civil liberties are signs of the iron hand creeping in, the corruption and rampant cronyism and the CONCORD has prompted the tide of protest to rise. That is why we are enjoining everybody to the September 21 rally against the ill-doing of this regime. Rain or shine, we shall be heard," said Colina. ##
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