Bayan kay PNoy: Ibasura ang VFA!

MANILA, Philippines – Nanawagan ngayong Lunes ang militanteng grupong Bayan kay Pangulong Benigno Aquino III na wakasan na sa lalong madaling panahon ang Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Nag-ugat ang panawagan ng Bayan matapos ang alegasyon sa US navy at pribadong contractor nito nang pagtatapon ng toxic wastes sa karagatan ng Subic, Zambales.

"The termination has now become more urgent and necessary because of the toxic waste phenomenon in Subic. Even without formal US bases, such criminal destruction of the environment continues under the VFA," sabi ni Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr.

"There is already enough evidence to prove the dumping of toxic wastes. There is no doubt these wastes were produced or generated by US ships and exercises," dagdag ni Reyes.

Base sa mga ulat, ang MV Glenn Guardian na pag mamay-ari ng Malaysian shipping na Glenn Defense Marine ay nagtapon umano ng toxic wastes sa Subic ay nagseserbisyo sa 37 na barko ng US Navy.

Sinabi pa ni Reyes sa gobyerno na suspendihin sa lalong madaling panahon ang port calls ng US warships sa bansa.

Noong Oktubre 24, isang nuclear-powered aircraft carrier na USS George Washington ang dumaong sa bansa. Ang pagbisita ng naturang barko nbg US ay pangatlo na sa taong ito.

"The Philippine and US governments keep telling us that these are goodwill visits and routine port calls under the VFA. For all we know, these port calls are timed for waste collection and disposal. Aquino is allowing the US to turn our country into one huge toxic dumpsite for US warships,” ayon kay Reyes.

Binatikos din niya ang Malacañang dahil sa hindi nito pagtupad sa pangakong muling suriin ang VFA.

"More than two years since he promised it, there are still no results in the so-called review of the VFA. Malacañang, the DOJ (Department of Justice) and the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) have not made public any results. And yet we have another controversial incident involving the VFA,” pahabol ni Reyes. Dennis Carcamo