By Shayne Elizabeth T. Flores and Cassandra Luis J. De Leon

Youth for Justice and Peace (Y4JP) member organizations mobilized against the Philippines' military agreements with the United States of America (US) and Japan during the March for Peace along Roxas Boulevard from the U.S. Embassy to Japanese Embassy earlier today, September 16.

The march was staged to commemorate the 33rd-year anniversary of the decision from 12 senators to reject the Military Base Agreement renewal in 1991.

During her speech, Y4JP Spokesperson Ysa Briones criticized Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.'s administration for allowing continued agreements with US despite cases of abuse.

“Nagpapatuloy ang Visiting Forces Agreement [VFA], ang Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, at iba’t iba pang kasunduan… Na alam naman nating hindi pantay at lumalabag lang sa ating konstitusyon at karapatang pantao (The Visiting Forces Agreement, Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, among other agreements persists, which as we all know are unequal and violate our constitution and human rights),” she said.

Moreover, Briones highlighted Japan’s similarity with the US in pushing its military forces into the Philippines through the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA).

“Itong Visiting Forces Agreement at Reciprocal Access Agreement, wala pong pinagkaiba ang dalawang ito. Parehas lang itong may layunin na papasukin ang kanilang mga troops dito sa Pilipinas upang paigtingin pa ang nililikha nilang giyera sa pagitan ng US at China (This Visiting Forces Agreement and Reciprocal Access Agreement have no difference; they both have the same goal of allowing the entry of their troops here in the Philippines to strengthen the war they are creating between the US and China),” she added.

VFA serves as the guideline for US military, aircrafts, vessels, and equipment sent to the Philippines for joint military exercises.

Meanwhile, RAA is an agreement between the Philippines and Japan which allows both countries to engage in activities related to military cooperation and joint training signed last July 8.

Citing the ongoing genocide in Palestine, the spokesperson further emphasized the necessity to abrogate the foreign negotiations.

“‘Wag po nating kalimutan ang nangyayari ngayon sa Palestine… Ito po ang kinabukasan natin kapag nagpatuloy ang mga kasunduan... Ito po ang kahihinatnan ng Pilipinas sa kamay ng mga imperyalistang pinaglalaruan tayo (Let us not forget the current situation in Palestine. This is going to be our future if the agreements continue. This is what will happen to the Philippines in the hands of the imperialists that are toying with us),” Briones claimed.

The demonstration concluded with a symbolic ripping of a copy of the PH-Japan RAA and a candle-lighting for US troop murder victim Jennifer Laude as well as the Filipino comfort women assaulted by Japanese troops during World War II.

Among the organizations involved are the Youth of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente Marikina, University of the Philippines (UP) Christian Youth Movement, UP Manila University Student Council, League of Filipino Students - National Capital Region (NCR), National Union of Students of the Philippines - NCR, Sining Bugkos, Kabataan Partylist - NCR, and College Editors Guild of the Philippines - NCR.

(Photo by Shayne Elizabeth T. Flores/FEU Advocate)