Wednesday, June 13, 2007 2 ID gatherings, different views By Ben O. Tesiorna
DABAWENYOS celebrated the 109th Philippine Independence Day anniversary Tuesday, but militant groups say there is no need for a celebration since there is no "genuine" independence achieved by Filipinos.
In a statement, Bayan Muna, however, said the celebration is a sham and accused the Arroyo regime of being "continually subservient" to US interventionism and the unabated political repression reminiscent of the colonial era.
"Centuries of exploitation under the US indirect colonial rule in our country compel us to seek genuine independence, and at the minimum, oust the current US puppet administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," Bayan Muna Southern Mindanao regional coordinator Jeppie Ramada said.
Ramada said the recently forged Status of Forces Agreement (Sofa) between the Philippines and Australia, which is the equivalent of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), is seen "to allow closer and more sinister coordination between US and Australian troops in the Philippines in carrying out combat, reconnaissance, espionage and other military activities in violation of Philippine sovereignty."
"Time and again, our government allows foreign dictates to mock on our sovereignty and dignity as Filipinos. With the signing of the RP-Aussie Defense Pact, Gloria Arroyo has only perpetuated the dangers already posed by the Visiting Forces Agreement in the security of our people," Ramada said.
The militant leader also cited the approval of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) as another case of being subservient to foreign government that he said will likely worsen unfair trade relations between Japan and the Philippines as it exploits lower tariffs, cheap labor, and natural resources of the Philippines for liberalized form of investments.
JPEPA is seen to cut import tariffs on industrial goods by 90 percent within 10 years and provide concessions for Japanese direct investment in the domestic automobile and electronics industries.
"Gloria Arroyo's repressive policies have also affected in aggravating poverty contrary to her declaration of stability in Philippine economy. Arroyo's economic reforms are clear imposition of unfair policies pressed by the U.S. government generally to support various imperialist agenda," Ramada said. (With Press release)
