Qezon City, Philippines, 07 March 2009 - “SALINLAHI reiterates its call to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). We believe that this agreement not only violates Philippine sovereignty, but it is also an instrument to further violate the rights of women and children. In fact, it serves to lengthen Gloria Arroyo’s list of “Debts of Deaths” and we should make her accountable for this.” This is the sentiment aired by Sophia Garduce, spokesperson of SALINLAHI Alliance for Children’s Concerns, on the eve of the International Women’s Day.

SALINLAHI, an umbrella organization of child-focused organizations, said that the continued adherence of the Philippine government led by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to the VFA shows utter disrespect for the rights of every Filipino. “The purported banning of fishermen in the Philippine waters covered by the Balikatan exercises in Bicol, is a blatant display of a foreign power able to exercise its dictatorship over our rights to Philippine resources, thereby directly controlling the right to life of Bicolano fisher folk and their children in that part of the Philippines,” quipped Ms. Garduce.

SALINLAHI also denigrated the “praise” release of DFA regarding the benefits of the VFA. “The VFA is a Pandora’s box of misery as far as Filipino women and children are concerned. It brought to light the arrogance of US personnel in Basilan who forced the closure of a public hospital. It also paved the way for the sexual abuse of Nicole, who is continuously denied justice by the unresolved custody issue of the perpetrator, L/Cpl Daniel Smith. And just recently, the bombing operation in Ligao, Albay as part of the military’s “clearing operations for the humanitarian mission” of BALIKATAN 2009 claimed the life of 1-year old Rafaela Polborido in Bicol,” Ms. Garduce explained.

She also added that the DFA should not hype the humanitarian missions done by US forces as it puts to shame our own government’s inability to fulfill its responsibility to deliver social services, including health services. “

SALINLAHI and its member organizations will join Gabriela and other women’s group tomorrow to push for the abrogation of the VFA. “Definitely, we will march up the streets and brave the summer sun, as we hold accountable all the debts of the Arroyo government to the Filipino mothers and children, particularly its compromise on our sovereignty. We join the call for the immediate junking of the agreement as our contribution to the struggle for children to fully enjoy their rights. We will defend their future, we will defend our sovereignty, and we will junk the VFA!!” Garduce concluded. ###