The militant Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD) today expressed concern for sovereignty with ’permanent’ presence of foreign troops in live-fire war exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
KPD referred to the on going war exercises with French troops that starts today with the arrival of the warship FNS Var til the 15th of the month and the impending arrival of another US Naval warship USS Peleliu for so-called humanitarian missions for Manila, Bicol region and Mindanao.
“By turning the country into an international military exercise grid, the Arroyo regime is acclimatizing Pinoys to the permanent presence and consequent intervention of these foreign troops in the internal affairs of the country, turning a blind eye to issues of sovereignty and national patrimony much less the welfare of the Filipinos exposed to these live-fire exercises,” pointed out Pete Pinlac, chairperson of KPD.
According to KPD, the Arroyo regime attempt to replicate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Australia will only cause further problems for Filipinos as years of war exercises and military hardware hand-me downs have resulted in dubious gains for the AFP.
Pinlac added that by inking a new agreement with the Aussies, these foreign troops may soon go the way of the US troops permanently stationed in Sulu since 2002, unquestioned by the Philippine government and violating the territorial integrity of the country.
“We see more foreign intervention rather than less with the Arroyo government eager to grab every bit of counter-terror funds dangled her way,” added Pinlac regardless of the factual basis of the presence of so-called terrorists.
KPD warned that these foreign military troops should be eyed warily rather than welcomed blindly to our shores.
“We might have something worse than ’Nicole’ in the future if we are not careful,”.
Reference: Pete Pinlac, Chairperson KPD (09228361420)