On the eve of his SONA - Makabayan bloc calls on Noynoy to assert Ph sovereignty vs US and China

The Makabayan partylist bloc in Congress called on Pres. Benigno Aquino III to break from the US’ scheme of globalization, anti-China sabre-rattling and war policy on the eve of his State of the Nation Address SONA).

“Pres. Aquino should veer away from US tutelage and earnestly pursue our national sovereign interest particualrly on our issues regarding the Panatag shoal and the Spratlys. We should not allow the United States into the conflict because it may further escalate.This matter is best settled between China and the Philippines through diplomatic means and using the international conventions. We do not need another bully like the US in our backyard," said Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, the head of the bloc in Congress.

“Aside from bringing this to the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the Philippine government, including Congress, should also assert the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea which was signed in 2002 by members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the People’s Republic of China aimed at easing tensions in the region and serving as a foundation for future negotiations. Efforts should also be exerted to further develop this code and stop what China is doing now and we do not need the US for that,” he stressed.

As for his part Anakpawis partylist Rep. Rafael V. Mariano, pointed out that aside from US meddling in the Philippine- China stand off Noynoy should also reverse the Philippine adherance on US globalization because it is one of the main reasons for the poverty of majority of our population escpecially the peasants. The most blatant push now of globalization advocates is centered on Charter change, which will allow 100% foreign ownership of land and businesses in the country.

“Instead of following US dictates, Noynoy should work for genuine agrarian reform and ensure the speedy distribution of land particulalry that of Hacienda Luisita. Support services must also be ensured for farmers,” said the peasant leader.

On the other hand ACT Teachers partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio said said that Pres. Aquino should be very wary of the US government’s shift of its focus to Asia this decade because this means that it would be more aggressive in asserting its dominance in the Pacific area. This may mean more US covert operations in the country and more human rights violations

Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan said that there had been numerous documented cases of such US operations like in 2002 when a US soldier Reggie Lane was identified by an international fact-finding mission as the one who shot Buyong-Buyong Isnijal, an unarmed civilian resident of Basilan, in the course of a military operation, violating belabored Terms of Reference for Balikatan 02-1--and the Constitution as well--that imposed on U.S. forces to avoid offensive actions against Filipinos. Also in an article dated July 6, the New York Times reported that in 2006, US drones sent a "barrage of Hellfire missiles" that hit a suspected military camp in the jungles of southern Philippines.

“While this incident took place under the previous administration, the Aquino administration employs the same lack of transparency, double speak, and deception in order to conceal the true nature of the US military presence in the country,” added Ilagan.

“As it is Pres. Aquino should stop being a US lackey and instead serve the interest of the Filipino people because as always we will be watching,” concluded Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raymond Palatino. #