AJLPP Oppose Another US-Arroyo Sell Out of Philippine Sovereignty.

Los Angeles-- “ SOFA, another grand sell-out”.

This is how the Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace (AJLPP)-USA characterize the treasonous action of puppet president when it signed the RP-Australia Status of Forces Agreement. (SOFA)

How much did it the sell out of our sovereignty and natural patrimony cost? Less than $ four million worth of 28 gunboats from Australia, $ 100 million worth of development aid and $ 98 million regional counter-terrorism package from the US- junior partner in Asia! What a bargain price!

By entering into the SOFA, the US- Arroyo regime furthers foreign military intervention in the Philippines, and also serves to boost the Arroyo regime's fascist repression of the people.

The RP-USA SOFA allows the entry and deployment of Australian troops in Philippine territory in violation of the national sovereignty of the Filipino people. This SOFA is similar to the Visiting Forces Agreement between the US and Philippine governments.

Economic Benefits for Australia, Depression for Filipinos

Australia hopes to further strengthen its economic incursion with the Philippines. It’s trading with the Philippines amount to $ 1.75 million in 2006. More than 12 Australian mining companies will be in a favorable position to exploit the gold, cooper, nickel and chromite deposits in the Philippines.

On agribusiness, Australia also hopes to “capitalize on Philippine supplying agricultural commodities that includes live cattle, sugar, fruit, vegetables, grains, cotton and dairy products.” It also hope to participate in the Philippine ‘s goal of “ increasing productivity through the sale of technology in such areas of palm oil, rubber and animal husbandry, irrigation, post-harvest facilities and seed production”

Australia, will further its economic motives as the chief Asia-Pacific military partner of the US, will use its mandate the Australia-New Zealand-United States (ANZUS) Security Treaty for "cooperation on defense and security concerns in the Asia-Pacific region" to act as a surrogate of US military might and the chief hatchet man of US superpower dominance in the region.

With the Philippine-Australia SOFA, AJLPP expects closer and more sinister coordination between US and Australian military troops in the Philippines in carrying out combat, reconnaissance, espionage and other military activities in violation of Philippine sovereignty

The AJLPP never forget that the United States and Australia connived in supprting the US-Marcos dictatroship and its active involvement in the counter insurgency war against the Filipino and the Moro people since the end of World War II.

Expect that the terrorism of the Arroyo regime is further emboldened by VFA and SOFA treaties and the military intervention and hegemonic superpower support of the US and its regional junior partner Australia."

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