Letter to the Editor - April 14, 2005
References: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson
Contact Numbers: 415-1924 and 0927-2157392

For Mindanao as terrorism mecca tirade
US diplomat should be ousted along with US troops & spies

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should immediately declare United States embassy Chargé de Affaires Joseph Mussomeli persona non grata not only for his reckless statements branding Mindanao as the "new Mecca" of terrorism. He should be banished from the country along with all the US troops and operatives of the US Central Intelligence Agency for making a daily mockery of our sovereignty and Consitution.

Her continued silence on the wanton arrogance of Mussomeli of foisting the US government's illogical and selfish views on Mindanao is an affront on the dignity of our nation and our people.

We overseas Filipinos and families share the apprehensions of certain legislators in Congress and the Senate that Mussomeli's statements can be a prelude to a massive deployment of US combat troops in the Philippines. Our problems in Mindanao are entirely internal in nature and the Philippine government has even claimed that "the extreme poverty is being addressed in the island."

We further encourage Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo to expel this diplomat and all the US troops (also called anti-terrorist trainors or advisors) from the country because their continued presence violates our national sovereignty and worsens the US' outright interference concerning our internal affairs.

The presence of diplomats like Mussomeli, US troops and spies in Mindanao and the rest of the country will only heighten the conflict among Muslims, Christians, and indigenous peoples. #