Tuesday, February 24, 2009

MANILA PROTESTERS WANT U.S. TROOPS OUT

Protesters hold a huge mock U.S, national flag as they try to match towards the U.S. Embassy during a rally in Manila, capital of Philippines
A rally was held in Manila, capital of the Philippines, Feb. 24, 2009. The protesters called on Tuesday here for the immediate termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the suspension of the Philippines-U.S. joint military exercises.
The VFA, effective since May 27, 1999, is seen by some critics as granting immunity from prosecution to U.S. military personnel who commit crimes against Filipinos.
Protesters wear masks and hold a huge mock U.S. national flag as they try to march towards the U.S. Embassy.
However Police block protesters before thy reach the U.S. Embassy compound.
The Philippine government has been complicit with the US in its occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan by allowing it to use the Philippines as a staging ground of its troops and as part of the US global military presence.
US troops are also present in and intervening in Mindanao, site of a long-running war for self-determination.
Thus, the Stop the War Coalition - Philippines, a broad coalition of social movements and civil society organizations in the Philippines, will hold a protest action at the US embassy in Manila with the following calls: Stop US-led wars of aggression! Philippines out of US war machinery! US troops out of Mindanao

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