Philippine Women’s Group GABRIELA Condemns Upcoming US-Philippines Military Drills
A progressive women’s group in the Philippines, GABRIELA, has strongly condemned the annual joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States scheduled for next month. The group’s Secretary-General, Clarice Palce, voiced serious concerns over the impending Balikatan exercises, calling for the expulsion of all U.S. troops from the country and the immediate termination of military agreements such as the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
In a statement released on Sunday, Palce warned that the presence of U.S. military bases and EDCA sites poses a grave threat to the safety, welfare, and rights of Filipinos, particularly women and children. “History has shown that these military agreements compromise our national sovereignty and expose our communities to various risks,” she stated.
Palce further alleged that increased military activities and the presence of foreign troops have led to the proliferation of militarized prostitution in the Philippines. “The exploitation of women and children becomes rampant in areas with heightened military presence,” she added.
This year’s Balikatan exercises are set to commence on April 22 and run until May 8, involving approximately 11,000 American and 5,000 Philippine troops. The drills aim to enhance interoperability between the two nations’ armed forces but have been met with criticism from various sectors concerned about their implications on national sovereignty and security.
“The Balikatan exercises blatantly disregard the Philippines’ national sovereignty by effectively transforming the country into a huge U.S. base with unrestricted movement of American troops,” Palce asserted. GABRIELA is urging the Philippine government to re-evaluate its military ties with the United States and prioritize the interests and welfare of its citizens.
The joint military exercises have long been a point of contention within the Philippines, sparking debates over the benefits and drawbacks of close military cooperation with the United States. As the scheduled drills approach, opposition from groups like GABRIELA highlights the ongoing discourse surrounding national sovereignty, security, and the role of foreign military presence in the country.
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Philippine women group condemns joint Philippine, U.S. military drills
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