Activists plan US protest vs Arroyo-Bush meet

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino activists said they plan to protest next month’s meeting between President Arroyo and US President George W. Bush.

Bayan, an umbrella group representing many of the country’s left-wing groups, said its US branch and their supporters will organize rallies and protests during Mrs. Arroyo’s June 23-29 visit to Washington and New York.

“It will be a meeting of two of the most unpopular presidents in their respective countries, a summit between a colonial master and a puppet,” Bayan said in a statement.

Renato Reyes, Bayan secretary-general, said the US global war on terror and US military assistance to the Arroyo administration were responsible for alleged human rights abuses in the Philippines.

American soldiers have been training and arming Filipino troops fighting al-Qaeda-linked militants and have had a presence in the southern Philippines since 2002.

The White House and Malacañang announced that Mrs. Arroyo will hold talks with Bush on June 24 on a wide range of issues, including counterterrorism, food security and the situation in Myanmar.

A White House statement Thursday said Bush was looking forward to discussions with Mrs. Arroyo on ways to enhance their “strong partnership and support for democracy in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.”

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo would thank Bush and US lawmakers for their support for Filipino World War II veterans. – AP