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Defense Sec. Cruz told to disclose new RP-US terror pact

A group opposed to any presence of US military troops in the country today pressed the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of Foreign Affairs to disclose the details of the new security arrangement signed by the Manila government and Washington yesterday.

Invoking the principles of national interest and public trust, the leftwing fisherfolk group Pamalakaya urged defense secretary Atty. Avelino Cruz Jr. and foreign affairs chief Alberto Romulo to reveal to the public, the details of the new anti-terror accord agreed between the governments of the United States and the Republic of the Philippines.

“We demand full disclosure and open debates on the new security pact signed by the puppet state and the puppet master last Wednesday,” Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap insisted.

“ Secretary Cruz and Secretary Romulo have no recourse but open this security pact for Senate deliberation and wholesale public debates. They are not the approving authorities, therefore the status of this security agreement remains a standing proposal,” Hicap said, saying it the Senate, which has the final say over the treaty, which he described as a product of grandslam treachery and betrayal of national interest.

The accord involves the setting up of a new joint panel called the Security Engagement Board (SEB), a new consultative mechanism for cooperation on non-traditional security concerns including terrorism, transnational crime, maritime safety and security, natural and man-made disasters and pandemic outbreaks.

Earlier, Renato Reyes, chair of the leftist alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) described the new anti-terror agreement as blatant way for the US military to intervene in the domestic affairs of the country. He said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would use this to get Washington support to stay in power.

“ Was this part of the political deal between Washington and President Arroyo? It seems to us that the signing of the new anti-terror agreement is part of the package deal in connection with the political game plan of Malacañang for Mrs. Arroyo’s illegitimate and unwanted stay in the Palace,” Hicap said in support to his colleague’s previous view on the RP-US anti-terror accord.

“ We were not born yesterday. We smell something fishy and that is the grand sell out of the country’s remaining aspects of national sovereignty to its’ colonial master and this is highly inflammatory and grossly revolting to our patriotic sense,” Hicap added.

Despite the assurance of Defense Secretary Cruz that the new security accord would not allow US forces to reestablish bases in the country or to join local military operations as enshrined in the constitution, Pamalakaya said the new security pact will pave way for the entry of large-contingent of US troops in the country and re-establishment of American military bases in the country under the pretext of combating international and domestic terrorism.

“The United States will not strike a security agreement just for the sake of having an agreement. The basing rights and rapid and mass redeployment of its troops abroad to RP top its military and political agenda in Southeast Asia,” Pamalakaya added. #

posted by: GerryCorpuz at 07:46 | link | comments |

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