DURING a peaceful Independence Day rally at Freedom Park in Davao City, various groups called on the government to junk the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States of America.
The groups emphasized that the Marcos-Duterte administration should not easily follow agreements that put Filipinos at a disadvantage.
Beverly Gofredo, spokesperson of Anakbayan Southern Mindanao Region (Anakbatan SMR), said the VFA is prone to exploitation and human rights violations against Filipinos in their own country.
“Ang effect niini, ang lapastangan sa atoang mga isla na gamiton og ang mutuman na mga human rights violations... Bultuhan ang pag abot ng mga tropang Amerikano sa nasud tungod kay (in the agreement) ng US og Pilipinas nga kung naay mahitabo na mga violation ang mga tropang Amerikano, paulion lang sila sa ilang nasud og wala tay mabuhat niana,” Gofredo said.
She also cited the case of transwoman Jennifer Laude who was killed by American Marine Joseph Pemberton in 2014. Pemberton was pardoned by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2020 and was deported back to the USA.
“Hangtod sa kasamtangan kay gipagawas lang sa nilabay na administrasyon pero walay nahimong tarong na hustisya diha sa pamilya ni Laude,” Gofredo said.
The groups also slammed the Maharlika Investment Fund which Gofredo said would further perpetuate corruption.
They called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to exercise the country’s claim over the West Philippine Sea and for Vice President Sara Duterte to prioritize solving the education crisis.
“Tanawon (ni Vice President) ang kahimtang karon sa education crisis, dili ang pag pamasista sa mga nakigbisog na katawhan. Iyang solusyonan ang krisis sa edukasyon - diha sa kaguot, diha sa mga congested na classrooms, diha sa kakulangan sa mga teachers, sa suhulan og diha sa tinood na free and quality education para sa mga kabatanunan Pilipino,” Gofredo said. ICM