Alliance-Philippines
April 25, 2010

AJLPP SUPPORTS OKINAWAN ISLANDERS DEMANDS; US OUT OF OKINAWA!

Los Angeles- “US Bases out of Okinawa, US Imperialism, Out of the Philippines!”

The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) based in the United States expresses its most militant solidarity with the people of Okinawa and Japan and supports their just demand to do away with US bases in their homeland.

The Alliance is also with the up to 100,000 demonstrators on the Japanese island of Okinawa who are set to protest against a US airbase Sunday in a row that is dominating national politics and souring ties with Washington.

“We are in spirit with the huge rally near Kadena Air Base, the largest US military facility in the Asia-Pacific region, is expected to include Okinawa governor Hirokazu Nakaima and more than 30 town mayors.” The AJLPP stated.

The row centers on the unpopular US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, which under a 2006 pact with Washington was to be moved from the crowded city of Ginowan to the quieter coastal Henoko area of Okinawa.

Self_Determination for Okinawans

The AJLPP supports the rights of Okinawans for self-determination. The island chafe at the heavy American military presence,, complains noise, pollution, and frictions with US soldiers.

The United States set up the Futenma airbase in 1945 as it took the island in one of World War II's bloodiest battles.It did not return Okinawa to Japan until 1972 and still operates more than 30 military facilities on the island, strategically located near China, Taiwan, and the Korean peninsula.

Under the 2006 agreement, Futenma facilities would be shifted to reclaimed land around Camp Schwab in Henoko and about 8,000 Marines would move to the US territory of Guam.

“We can never accept the US base. If it happens, the whole of our fishery will be damaged," Hiroyuki Akamine, president of the fishermen's cooperative in one of the reported alternative locations, told the media of the rally.

Hiroshi Ashitomi, 64, who has led the campaign against the relocation in Henoko, said: "Building a new military base here in this beautiful sea is never acceptable."

"Okinawan people won't accept the government's flip-flop that the relocation site is now back again to Henoko, after they found no other alternatives," he said in front of the emerald-green waters of Henoko.

Japan, which committed to pacifism in its post-WWII constitution, relies for its security on its treaty partner the United States, which stations some 47,000 troops in the country, more than half of them on Okinawa.

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It may bear and serve the Filipino nation well to investigate and know that Manny Villar may actually have broken through from Tondo-ragged accountant to billionaire-rich presidentiable by allowing himself to be used as a foreign investor’s dummy in the Philippine real estate business.

You see, the conduct of real estate business in the Philippines is made exclusive by law to Filipino citizens, necessarily because its affairs involve sensitive issues that affect territory, patrimony, and national security. Wasn’t that a debonair American who was smilingly visible every day at the offices of Crown Asia, Inc., way back before the Villars became political aspirants?

Unfortunately, sighting American presence at the Crown Asia, Inc. organization deteriorates to zero visibility in hot election weather, especially nowadays! As Manny Villar embarked on a political career, it naturally became strategically imperative to avoid flaks of damaging controversy about being economically beholden to foreign influence, especially from nationalist camps of the likes of then Senator Teofisto Guingona Jr. who was one among legislators instrumental in passing general law limiting conduct of real estate business in the Philippines to Filipinos only.

In fact, it was from 1997 to 1999 that the bespactacled, middle-aged, happy American investor (silent or express?) of Crown Asia, Inc. was last regularly observed at the 18th Floor of Cityland Herrera Tower. Most of us often have "humble," sometimes "rotten," beginnings; yet being transparent about such beginnings can do more good than harm. The key to the answer may reach as far back as times with SGV, or perhaps good Senator Manuel Villar may want to comment on this matter at this time?