VISITING FORCES AGREEMENT KILLED BABY RAFAELA, SAYS SALINLAHI ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN’S CONCERNS

Manila, Philippines, 24 February 2009 - Child rights advocates led by the Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns issued their strongest condemnation over the killing of 1 year old, Rafaela Polvorido in Ligao, Albay resulting from military operations of the 901st brigade in preparation of the Balikatan exercises in Bicol Region.  The incident also left six (6) children (aged 10-months old to 9 years old) and three (3) women wounded and traumatized. 

According to Sophia Garduce, spokesperson of the group, Baby Rafaela was killed by the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).  "We are appalled with the government's eagerness to pander to the US with the VFA despite protests from various fronts. It is an utter disrespect for the sovereign rights of our people.  What is more infuriating is that with this incident, the military is once again trying to escape accountability over the incident and further perpetuate the climate of impunity," quipped Ms. Garduce. Previous news reports based on military media releases claimed that the incident was a result of an encounter between the AFP and the New Peoples Army.  Subsequent independent findings indicated that it was a clearing operation, in preparation for the Balikatan Exercises to be held in May.

Garduce said that the incident will be added to the long list of atrocious acts committed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines against Filipino children in communities whom the AFP  perceive to be their enemies.  "Unfortunately, this incident is not isolated.   We documented and proved numerous cases of military's atrocity against children being passed off as resulting from legitimate encounters and thus, acquitting themselves of their crimes against children,"  Garduce said. 

Salinlahi also raised alarm over the upcoming Balikatan exercises in Bicol,  saying that "the joint exercises between the AFP and US forces will not offer anything for the people in Bicol. We fear that more children and women will become victims in these exercises, just like what happened to Rafaela," Garduce added.  "With the military's penchant of escaping accountability, coupled with the controversy regarding custody and accountability  of any erring US serviceman under the Visiting Forces Agreement, the lives of hundreds of Bicolano women and children will be compromised," quipped Garduce. 

Salinlahi and its member organizations added their voices in calling for the termination of the US-RP Visiting Forces Agreement.  "The incident involving the death of Rafaela and the endangering of women’s and children's lives should be addressed in the calls of different groups and individuals, including senators, to abrogate the agreement, and immediately prosecute soldiers of the 901st Brigade. Let us not allow the VFA to kill more Filipino children. Let us  scrap the VFA instead”,  ended Garduce. ###