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| Southeast Asia |
| 'Groups' call for US forces to leave Mindanao |
| 2008-02-08 |
| “We love Mindanao! US troops out now!” Chanting these phrases, militant groups under the US Troops Out Now coalition vowed to expose the evils of the upcoming joint RP-US military exercises dubbed Balikatan in the Lanao provinces set to start Feb. 18. They have lined up almost daily activities here and in the neighboring cities of Marawi and Cagayan de Oro. They urged the Philippine government to stop the Balikatan exercises and to boot out United States military forces in the country. Bayan Muna national executive vice president Joel Virador, in a press conference at the Elena Tower Inn here this morning, urged for the repeal of treaties and agreements that allow the US military’s presence in Philippine soil, among them the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). “We have long desired for self-determination, national sovereignty, and lasting peace. We hereby declare our unequivocal opposition to the ongoing US military expedition in Mindanao,” he said. |
| Posted by:Seafarious |
| #6 War in Mindano has been going on for over a century. I still wonder if the Filipinos would be better off cutting the island lose as too savage or if they could deal with the guilt that would follow intentional genocide. The third way is to accept another hundred years of insurrection and conflict and that just doesn't seem like a solid plan. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2008-02-08 17:27 |
| #5 Yup. Just another case of simple, if well-placarded, villagers. |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2008-02-08 09:55 |
| #4 Nothing to see. Just another commie front group allying with islamists. Only question is who will be quicker in plunging the knife in the other's back. |
| Posted by: ed 2008-02-08 06:50 |
| #3 No blood for ...Lumpia! |
| Posted by: Frank G 2008-02-08 06:45 |
| #2 I doubt Mike Meiring has a leg to stand on. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2008-02-08 06:42 |
| #1 What's the real story here oh antique harley owner... |
| Posted by: 3dc 2008-02-08 00:37 |