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Archive 1 1998 - 1999 Updated
November 20, 2007
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News and Info Current | 12/04 - ... |
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News and Info Archive 11 | 12/04 - 12/05 |
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News and Info Archive 10 | 1/04 - 12/04 |
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News and Info Archive 9 | 7/03 - 12/03 | |
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News and Info Archive 8 | 1/03 - 6/03 |
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News and Info Archive 7 | 8/02 - 1/03 | |
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News and Info Archive 6 | 3/02 - 7/02 |
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News and Info Archive 5 | 3/02 - 2/02 | |
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News and Info Archive 4 | 1/02 - 11/01 |
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News and Info Archive 3 | 11/01 - 7/01 | |
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News and Info Archive 2 | 3/01 - 2/00 |
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News and Info Archive 1 | 1998 - 1999 |
SUBIC FREEPORT DRAWS 3.5 MILLION TOURISTS IN 1999
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT is among the top tourist destinations of the country in 1999 as it recorded more than three million tourist arrivals, confidently surpassing its 1998 overall figures. Statistics from the Tourism Department of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) show that foreign and local tourists who have visited the Freeport for the entire 1999 reached to 3,467,862, far exceeding 1998's total figure of 2.35 million visitors. Significant is the number of local tourists in Subic that increased from 2.2 million in 1998 to 3.41 million as of the end of December 1999 after the new SBMA administration adopted the "friendly gate policy," which opened the facilities of the Freeport to the Filipino masses.
SBMA Chairman Felicito C. Payumo said the new policy did away with stringent regulations in the entry of visitors implemented by the past Freeport administration which maintained an image of Subic as a destination targeting only foreign tourists and the local upper and middle classes. "Subic Freeport is definitely for the Filipino, in whatever strata of society they belong to. It is only rational that since this is not a military base anymore, its doors must be wide open for everyone who wants to enjoy its facilities," Payumo said.
SBMA Tourism Department Manager Armin Santos explained that the month of December recorded the highest number of tourist arrivals with 992,649 exceeding figures of the previous years. The marked increase, he added, is due to the sizeable number of tourists who took part in the Freeport's Christmas and millennium celebrations.
Meanwhile, The number of foreign tourist arrivals in the Freeport for 1999 was pegged at 61,844. The SBMA however, expects the figure to improve by the year 2000 with a number of international airlines expected to add more flights in their Subic route. Only recently, Air Philippines began operating anew in the Freeport and is planning to fly to Kaoshiung, Taipei, Seoul and Hong Kong as soon as it secures regulatory approval from the Civil Aeronautics Board.
SBMA Deputy Administrator for Trade and Tourism Dennis Lesaca Oliquino said there is reason to anticipate an increase in the number of foreign travelers coming to the Freeport after the authority achieved significant strides in international tourism promotion. At the 13th International Travel Exposition in Hong Kong held in July, Subic attracted a number of travel trade organizations intending to make the Freeport one of their tour destinations.
International events that have been held here, such as the 1999 Action Asia Challenge, have likewise provided international exposure and publicity for the Freeport. More important is President Joseph Estrada's support to the thrusts of the new SBMA administration provided the needed boost to Subic tourism, significant of which is the inclusion of the Freeport in his "tourism highway" program.
In one of the visits of the
President in the Freeport, Tourism Secretary Gemma Cruz Araneta lauded Chairman
Payumo for his innovative approach in boosting tourism in the Freeport,
describing his efforts as being "on the right track." Notable
among the SBMA Chair's plans is the development of nature theme parks that would
reinforce the promotion of eco-tourism in the Freeport.
Nuclear-powered
but not nuclear-armed
Subic Bay
This was the assurance given by Malacañang
yesterday on the US submarine that docked at the former American naval base in
Subic Bay. Presidential Spokesman Fernando Barican also said the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) gave prior clearance for the USS
Santa Fe which steamed Wednesday into the freeport for a five-day rest and
recreation for its crew.
"The DFA has verified that the visiting nuclear
submarine does not carry any nuclear weapons. It carries conventional Tomahawk
missiles with a conventional capacity," Barican said. "I think
all submarines of the US Navy are nuclear-powered, However, this submarine does
not carry a nuclear weapon. So there are no nuclear weapons on board this
particular nuclear submarine," he added. Barican allayed fears that
the visiting US submarine, despite the US policy to neither confirm nor deny,
may actually be loaded with nuclear weapons since all US submarines are
nuclear-capable.
"The US submarines are nuclear-powered, meaning they do
not use diesel fuel. The submarines are powered by a nuclear reactor," he
said. Barican pointed out the US is bound to comply with the provisions of
the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which was ratified last May 27 by the
Senate. The VFA spells out guidelines on such issues as the carrying of
nuclear weapons, which are banned in the country, as well as the discipline of
American servicemen on R & R (rest and recreation). "We do have a
friendly relationship with the US. As in all countries, the diplomatic
courtesies and relationships include an open relationship and an attempt to
respect (each other's) laws and customs," he said.
Meanwhile, a leftist group assailed government officials for
allowing the entry of the USS Santa Fe into the country, and said they should
all resign from office for circumventing the Constitution. In a statement,
the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said the incident only showed the many
loopholes of the VFA and is one reason the Supreme Court should junk the
agreement. The SC is due to hear oral arguments against the VFA on Dec. 14.
"How can government officials put the lives of thousands
of Filipinos in danger and allow such a clear violation of the Constitution?
Defense and foreign affairs officials are proving to be nothing but US lackeys.
If they cannot do their basic duties, they might as well resign from
office," said Bayan secretary general Teodoro Casiño. The entry of
US nuclear weapons in the country is one of the strongest arguments against the
VFA. Article II Section 7 of the Constitution specifically states that no
nuclear weapons are to be allowed into the national territory. Casiño
said there is a legal loophole in the VFA which makes it easy for the US to ship
in nuclear arms and other weapons of mass destruction. Article 3 of the VFA
states that the Philippine authorities cannot inspect any US vessel, aircraft or
cargo. During the VFA debates earlier this year, government officials said
that Filipinos will just have to take the Americans' word that their ships carry
no nuclear weapons. But Casiño claimed the US officer-in-command of the
USS Santa Fe has admitted that the submarine is nuclear-capable and carries
torpedoes and cruise missiles. He said that a mere port visit is no excuse
to trample on a nation's sovereignty.
According to retired Capt. Danilo Vizmanos, one of the
conveners of the Junk VFA Movement, the USS Santa Fe is a real war machine.
"It is a real battleship, capable of mass destruction. From what the US
officer said, it has already been to the Persian Gulf." He noted that
if the submarine just came from a "hot spot" and docked here, "it
would be a prized target of US enemies and we would be dragged into this
war."
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About 1,000 American servicemen aboard a US Navy ship left yesterday after a five-day goodwill visit. But their short stay was marred by accusations of abuses committed by some of the visiting Americans. Three American crew members were accused of damaging two jet skis that they rented from a beach resort in Mactan Island. A taxi driver also complained that his cab's front hood was dented after four American servicemen threw firecrackers known as ''whistle bomb'' at the car.
Both cases, however, were settled amicably. Cecilio Icot, owner of the Tharsis Marine Sports, at the White Sand Beach Resort in Lapulapu City, complained to the police that three young American servicemen damaged two Yamaha jet skis they rented Monday afternoon. He identified them as Jason Hortch and Juan Cortez, in their 20s, and crew members of the USS Belleau Wood, which anchored off Magellan Bay, Punta Engaño, Mactan. Icot said the three rented two of his jet skis. Another was provided by the Cebu Beach Club. But only one was returned after an hour. The second jet ski was found abandoned near the Belleau Wood which was anchored off Punta Engaño. Both jet skis were damaged. Icot and Glenn Ayeng, TMS operator, went to the ship and complained to Lt. Commander Anthony Bagnette who apologized to Icot. Bagnette paid P20,000 Tuesday for the damaged jet skis.
A taxi driver complained to Police Station 1 in Mandaue City that four American servicemen dented the front hood of his cab. Eddie Jonathan Garcia of Paknaan Mandaue and HR taxi driver, however, failed to identify the Americans. Garcia told police he was driving toward the Mactan Cebu International Airport in Lapulapu City at about 11 p.m. Monday. Then the four passengers of a taxi in front of him threw lighted firecrackers to the streets. One of the firecrackers, Garcia said, landed on the front of his taxi. Irked, he followed the taxi. The passengers, who turned out to be American servicemen, were dropped off along a coastal area where a speed boat was waiting for them. Garcia said he confronted the four but they merely laughed at him. Without even apologizing, the US servicemen boarded the speed boat and left.
The
Belleau Wood left Cebu yesterday morning for its home base in Okinawa. It
arrived here on Oct. 30 on a goodwill visit under the Visiting Forces Agreement
ratified by the Philippine Senate last May.
By Max Soliven
Philippine Star 11/22/99
"Exciting things have been happening in
Subic over the past year. Twelve months after taking over the chairmanship of
the Subic Bay Metropolitan
Authority (SBMA), former Bataan Congressman Felicito
"Tong" Payumo has racked up a "first" -- he has
surpassed the level of employment enjoyed by Subic workers even during the
heyday of Subic as a United States naval base. When the Americans packed up
and left, ending over 90 years of operating that base (the US Navy's largest
outside the continental United States), there were 35,000 employees, meaning
base workers and contractual employees.
Today,
under Payumo, the SBMA has an employee force of 36,047 workers (as of
September 1999). Of this total, 30,516 are working with the various
investor-locators, while 1,569 are with the SBMA itself, plus another 3,962
under the SBMA's subsidiary, the Freeport Service Corporation. Payumo tells us
that 13,500 new jobs were created in his first year of stewardship alone
(there were only 17,000 workers when he assumed office, he maintains, hired by
investors during the past dispensation). Tong is also confident the SBMA will
"break" the US$1 billion mark in export receipts by the end of the
year, next month. Exports as of last September already amounted to US$783
million. (This means, Payumo enthuses, he is bound to exceed the 1998 export
figure of US$555.45 million by almost 100 percent).
"Who sez there's no good news under the Estrada administration?" Tong Payumo grins, taking a swipe at President Erap's critics while -- ahem, patting himself on the back. Oh well. He's entitled to a bit of crowing. Tong notes that there might be a bit of a verbal tussle with the Taiwanese over "air rights," but at SBMA the Taiwanese center, also known as the Subic Bay Industrial Park, happily registered US$636 million in exports from January to September alone. Chairman Payumo admits that there have been a number of "break ins" and acts of pilferage in the residential areas of the zone. But the number of "incidents," he claims, is actually going down. In 1997, before he took over, he points out, there were 34, while in 1999, this year, there were just 20 intrusions. Bring them down to "zero," Tong, I suggest.
The "war" of attrition between
Payumo and his predecessor, former SBMA Chairman and pioneer, Dick Gordon,
alas, continues to simmer. For outside one of the SBMA's gates, with Dick's
wife, former Congresswoman Kate H.
Gordon as Olongapo's Mayor, it's still
"Gordon Country," meaning a no-man's land for Tong and Company.
C'mon kids, shake hands and stop sniping at each other. Dick bad-mouths Payumo
at every opportunity, even once (if the report is correct) preventing
the SBMA's fire trucks from helping put out a fire in next-door Olongapo.
In return, Tong grumphs that some "former members" of the SWAT Team
under the previous Gordon rule are behind the "break-ins" of homes
inside the freeport residential areas, with the intent of embarrassing him.
Peace na lang! It's time everybody joined hands in making our country happy
and strong. Is that too much to hope for?
Related
Story: Freeport Workforce Exceeds Peak Level of Jobs During U.S. Naval Base
Operations
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MANILA, Philippines - Defense Secretary William Cohen said Sunday the United States will bring thousands of American troops to the Philippines early next year for the first military exercises in nearly half a decade. "The exact number has not been finalized, but there will roughly be several thousand participating," Cohen said during a brief stop in the Philippines on a tour of Southeast Asia. "It will be an important exercise between our forces."U.S. troops returning to Philippines
By Floyd Whaley
Special to Stars & Stripes
The two countries also will form an interagency
group of experts to examine how the United States can assist the Philippines in
modernizing its military for defense and for international activities such as
peacekeeping. "Our (military) problems are myriad," said
Philippine Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado. "But we have urgent and
pressing needs for lift capability, whether it is light, medium or heavy
lift."
The Philippine air force uses Vietnam War-era UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) helicopters and has only a few C-130 Hercules fixed-wing transport aircraft, Mercado said. The scarcity of appropriate aircraft has made it difficult for the military to conduct search-and-rescue operations, as well as to fulfill international military obligations, such as its role in the East Timor peacekeeping force.
"We have a modernization program," he said. "We are not presenting this (list of needs) to the United States government to be answered." The Philippines has 240 troops in East Timor, Indonesia, and Darwin, Australia, as part of the U.N. peacekeeping force, Mercado said. The country expects to increase that number to 600 to 1,000. The United States has agreed to help transport the additional forces.
Cohen's one-day stop in the Philippines was part of a tour of Southeast Asia that included Indonesia. He cut short his Philippines trip to return to Washington to attend a meeting on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, a nuclear weapons agreement that could go before the Senate this week. The meeting of the defense chiefs at the Manila Hotel on Sunday marked a significant thaw in the turbulent military relationship between the United States and the Philippines.
There were no demonstrations or protests related to Cohen's visit, though that could have been due to his rapidly changing schedule and minimal news coverage given to the event. The Philippines, a former commonwealth of the United States, obtained its independence in 1946. But the two countries signed a Mutual Defense Treaty in 1951 and the United States maintained military bases across the Philippines until the early 1990s.
In 1991, the Philippines experienced one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recent history. Mount Pinatubo destroyed much of the U.S. Air Force's Clark Air Base, which was located about 15 miles away. That same year, the Philippine Senate refused to renew the 1947 Military Bases Agreement, and the U.S. Navy was forced to pull out of its base at Subic Bay. Despite the closure of the U.S. bases, the two countries continued annual military exercises and U.S. ship visits.
In December 1996, those were discontinued as well when the Philippines canceled an agreement that allowed visiting U.S. military forces immunity from prosecution in the country. After a contentious nationwide debate, marked by anti-U.S. protests and opposition from the Catholic Church, the Philippine Senate in May ratified a Visiting Forces Agreement that gave the United States jurisdiction over crimes committed by its soldiers while on duty. Philippine courts will now handle crimes committed by off-duty American troops.
Since the passage of the agreement, there have
been periodic visits by American ships, including the Yokosuka, Japan-based USS
Blue Ridge. But the Sunday announcement marks the first return of large-scale
military exercises, previously called Balikatan, or
"shoulder-to-shoulder," by the two countries since 1995.
"As we plan and conduct exercises that are in our mutual interest, we will
develop a stronger security partnership," Cohen said. "Our
militaries will learn to work together more effectively, building upon a very
long history of friendship."
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Manila, July 23, 1999 - As a brass band played, a US warship carrying 1,000 American troops docked at Manila's South Harbor yesterday for a four-day visit marking the return of large numbers of American forces to Philippine shores after a three-year absence.
US 7th Fleet commander Vice Admiral Walter Doran said the personnel of the USS Blue Ridge will be "good guests" and conduct themselves well during their stay. "They are well-behaved and are the real ambassadors of goodwill," Doran said of the sailors and crew at a press briefing aboard the ship. "I think this will be apparent to you as you meet them and see them around your city during the next few days."
The visit of the Blue Ridge, the flagship of the 7th Fleet, follows the Senate's ratification of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) which allows the US to resume large-scale war exercises and ship visits in the country. "Today for us is indeed a very, very special day," Doran said. "It's special because we're back among friends." Presidential Spokesman Fernando Barican said the visit signaled the resumption of normal defense cooperation between the military allies.
The routine visit, which was arranged in early July, has nothing to do with recent wrangling between China and Taiwan or fresh disputes between China and the Philippines in the Spratlys in the South China Sea, Barican said.
The US halted major military exercises and ship visits in the Philippines in December 1996 after the Philippine government canceled a loophole shielding US military personnel from prosecution for crimes committed in the country. Small-scale exercises involving fewer than two dozen American soldiers continued. The last US Navy ship visited Manila in October 1996.
A downpour drenched sailors lining the top deck as the 19,200-ton Blue Ridge docked before noon at South Harbor, which was festooned with red, white and blue balloons. Stalls offering city tours, phone cards, stamps and miniature US and Philippine flags lined the harbor. Police stood nearby with small groups of relatives straining to identify kin among throngs of waving sailors on the main deck of the ship, which had a complement of about 100 Filipino-Americans.
The US Navy troops will be on rest and recreation in Manila during the port call. Staffers of the 7th Fleet will also hold talks with their Philippine military counterparts, Doran said. He said the resumption of US ship visits will allow the two navies to work together to address a range of security interests, including drug trafficking, terrorism, environmental threats and weapons proliferation.
Extra police units have been placed on duty in the city of Manila to protect the visiting sailors following threats from communist rebels, a US Embassy official said yesterday. "We hope that they will be safe," said US Press Attaché Tom Skipper, who pointed out that all precautions had been taken.
VFA opponents, which include the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), have insisted that the pact could pave the way for port calls by nuclear-armed warships in violation of the constitutional ban on nuclear weapons. The rebels called off peace talks after the VFA's approval, saying the agreement violates Philippine sovereignty. Human rights, Church and leftist groups have also assailed the VFA for giving Washington jurisdiction over visiting troops who may commit crimes while on official visit. The New People's Army, the armed wing of the CPP, has threatened to attack or abduct sailors who "commit crimes against Filipinos."
Other critics fear that the accord could drag the Philippines into conflicts with enemies of the US. The presence of US troops will also encourage prostitution, they say. About 1,000 personnel will be "on liberty in Manila" during the visit, although they will be asked to strictly observe a curfew. They will be coordinating with embassy officials and local authorities to get an idea on the peace and order situation in the Philippines. Vice Admiral Doran said navy personnel have been ordered to travel in tandem for security and gave assurances that the soldiers will behave. He noted that since the closure of American bases in the Philippines in 1992, the US navy has "evolved a great deal" with its staff more mature, better educated and well behaved.
Many Filipinos were happy just to see the Americans back. Nenita Azarcon, a tourism information officer, said the return of US soldiers would boost tourism and the local economy. "There are 1,000 of them. Imagine if each will spend even just $5 each," said Azarcon, standing in a harbor stall with decks of travel brochures.
Major expansion agreement between SBMA - FedEx
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman Felicito C. Payumo reported to President Estrada yesterday a major expansion agreement with a big-ticket investor here - US courier giant Federal Express. Federal Express (FedEx) is going full blast with its operations, boosting its fleet from 12 to 20 airplanes and even extending its stay here from year 2002 to year 2007, and possibly up to year 2013.
The new contract will generate at least P151.44 million a year in revenue or a total of P1.25 billion within the eight-year revised agreement, that begins September this year. The projected revenues exclude additional receipts from the expanded parking and additional tonnage as a result of the entry of eight new FedEx cargo planes.
Wrapping up his US trip, Payumo closed a new deal with Federal Express Corp. for an additional five-year term extension and an expansion of FedEx operations within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Payumo told President Estrada that the FedEx agreement "is doubly significant because it makes a statement that FedEx has complete trust and confidence in the Estrada administration as well as that of SBMA." He added that FedEx is making this commitment to the Philippines, notwithstanding the Asian economic crisis.
Under the new agreement, the original FedEx contract, which is set to expire on Sept. 1, 2002, was extended to Aug. 31, 2007, with two options to renew for three years each. Furthermore, this international air cargo company agreed to increase by 50 percent the frequency of its regular flights, from its present 12 airplanes to 20 planes per day. FedEx also agreed to increase its present base area by an additional 2,071 square meters by the addition of three more buildings for its use. It also raised its rent payments for the use of open spaces adjacent to the FedEx lease area, which under the original contract were not being rented out by FedEx.
Under the new expansion agreement, the incremental increase in rental payments from FedEx would amount to approximately $63,500 per month or $762,000 a year, or additional revenue of $6.096 million for the entire duration of the contract until August 2007. The landing fee receipt is placed at $252,000 per month or $3.024 million a year, equivalent to $24.192 million for eight years.
For its part, SBMA has undertaken to improve and upgrade its airport facilities to accommodate the increase in FedEx operations and to better serve other airlines using the Subic Bay International Airport. New features will be added to the airport to convert it into a world-class airport facility and such improvements include: the airport's apron to accommodate the additional FedEx planes coming in and out of Subic; the lighting system; power distribution and supply to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
Earlier, the SBMA installed the ILS/TLS system or the transponder landing system and the instrument landing system, both guide the landing of an aircraft.
Controversial RP - US Visiting Forces Agreement Ratified
The earth shook, the skies turned dark, rains fell, and thousands of activists, nuns and priests yelled anti-VFA slogans outside the Senate building as the Senate, voting 18-5, ratified the controversial RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement. Last night's vote on the agreement paves the way for the resumption of large-scale military exercises between the Philippines and the United States.
Expectedly, the senators making up the anti-VFA bloc in the chamber--Minority Leader Teofisto Guingona, Raul Roco and Sergio Osmeña III--voted against proposed Senate Resolution 443. Their slim number was boosted by Senators Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Loren Legarda. Among those who voted in favor were Senators Tessie Aquino-Oreta, Robert Barbers, Rodolfo Biazon, Renato Cayetano, Anna Dominique Coseteng, Franklin Drilon, Juan Ponce Enrile, Juan Flavier and Gregorio Honasan. It was a turnaround for Honasan, who had earlier told reporters that he would vote against the VFA as the government did not have a clear-cut ''national defense policy.'' The others who concurred in the resolution were Senators Robert Jaworski, Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Blas Ople, John Osmeña, Ramon Revilla, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Vicente Sotto III, Francisco Tatad and Senate President Marcelo Fernan.
Nathaniel Santiago, secretary general of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, said the Junk VFA Movement would immediately question the ratification of the agreement before the Supreme Court. He said the tribunal would be ''the next battleground.'' Bishop Alan Rey Sarte of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines also said the NCCP would raise the issue to the high court. In the morning, Roco managed to delay the start of the final vote by at least two hours as he repeatedly questioned the majority's insistence on holding the process. According to Roco, the senators could not vote on the resolution concurring in the ratification of the VFA as the treaty itself needs to be approved. Drilon and Enrile, who presided over yesterday's session, shot down Roco's efforts.
They said Senate records were replete with precedents showing how senators had approved resolutions endorsing international treaties to which copies of the agreements being discussed were attached. Pressure Pimentel and Legarda said they voted no despite pressure from friends, family and political allies. Legarda said she had been pressured by her husband and friends. ''As I cast my vote today, I ask them for understanding and compassion, for I must vote the way my conscience dictates. Only then can I be worthy of my mandate,'' she said. She described the VFA as ''patently unconstitutional, grossly flawed, ominously vague, decidedly one-sided and onerous.'' She said her vote was a vote for national sovereignty, the Constitution, environment and the Filipino youth. Legarda said the VFA's failure to explicitly establish the responsibilities of visiting US troops vis-a-vis compliance with Philippine environmental standards was ''not a peripheral matter.'' ''It is a window to a larger problem that dramatizes the vague terms of the agreement,'' she said. ''We have to learn from past experience that we must not be satisfied with assurances of action that are not pledged on the same paper that the treaty is written.''
Pimentel--who, as a member of the ''Magnificent 12,'' went against the wishes of then President Corazon Aquino when he voted in 1991 against the retention of the US military bases in the country--said: ''Voting on the VFA is one of the most difficult decisions of my life as a public servant.''
''This time, another dear friend and political ally, no less than the incumbent President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, asks that I agree with the ratification of that agreement . . . I am aware that the negative vote that I have just cast will disappoint some of my friends, including the sitting President of the land,'' he said. Still, he said: ''Let political debts be paid by political acts, not at the expense of the nation's welfare.''
He said the arguments that the VFA would strengthen the Philippine military and that its benefits would filter down to society were flawed. The correct strategy, he said, was to develop the country as whole and, when that was done, the development of all sectors including the military would follow. ''It is for this reason that I would like to say that what the country needs today are more trade than aid, more tractors than tanks, more billets than bullets, more rice than warplanes,'' Pimentel declared. He said the VFA would enhance the ''attitude of mendicancy upon our leaders toward our colonial masters of the past, not independence of mind, in matters of our national development and even in matters of military preparedness.''
'Demeaning' The senators began their nominal vote at half past noon, with each standing before the podium to explain their decision. Guingona was the first to deliver a no vote citing, among others, non-reciprocity and the agreement's unclear provisions which, he said, would open the country to US forces without limits on the number of soldiers and their length of stay. ''This proposed agreement demeans the Filipino. Let us purge it of some pejorative provisions. Let us amend,'' he said.
''If we cannot amend, if we cannot improve, if we cannot have reciprocity, then I say no . . . to the VFA, to the distorted mendicancy for our people.'' Roco said: ''They tell us that we are weak and therefore we must accept this unjust treaty for protection. ''But this special treatment agreement will make us even weaker. It will imprison the Filipino spirit as it deprives the Filipino of equal protection of the law in his own land.'' Sergio Osmeña said he sympathized with members of the executive department who were pressured by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the threats of cuts in sugar and garment quotas. He described the VFA as ''one-sided'' and one that removed the ''trump card'' that would have forced the United States to treat Central Luzon children suffering the effects of toxic waste left by US forces.
'Out of touch' The pro-VFA senators said the arguments of the other camp were out of touch with present political realities. Enrile, one of the ''Magnificent 12'' of 1991, said he would oppose any move to reestablish US bases in the country but added that factors like China's ''expansionist'' policy dictated his yes vote. ''True, beggars do not win in negotiations. But neither will they win in war,'' he said, adding that ''we need American military power to serve as our security umbrella.''
Flavier, speaking in Filipino, adopted Enrile's arguments on beggary. At one point, he said: ''Narinig kong napakalinaw, 'Huwag kang mayabang.' Kayapo ang susog ko diyan, Kung ikaw ay kulang sa sukat, huwag ka nang pasikat (I heard it loud and clear: Don't be arrogant. I second that by saying, If you fall short of the measure, don't be boastful).'' Fernan described the VFA as a ''test of faith'' in the country's ability to master the challenges of the new world. ''There is no danger nor evil in the covenants embodied in this agreement. The dangers, and the evils, if there are, can only be bred from the hearts and minds of those who will allow this agreement to betray, in implementation, the best and noblest hopes of mutual cooperation that conceived it,'' he said. Ople, chief sponsor of the resolution, said the VFA would be the country's shield, under which the government would be left free to fight mass poverty. Honasan said: ''We have no choice. We cannot afford to remain neutral. Prudent alliances are our only option.''
Santiago explained her vote: ''We have to learn to abandon the rhetoric of the Cold War, and to participate in a new world order, where the VFA, for the time being, is a necessary tool of our Third World foreign policy.'' 'Short visits' Oreta said US troops would pay ''only short visits'' while holding military exercises with Filipino soldiers. ''The VFA was not crafted to recolonize the Philippines,'' she said. ''Yes na yes ako,'' Barbers said as he summed up his explanation. Biazon, a former Armed Forces chief of staff, said the AFP did not have enough resources to defend the country from foreign aggressors, and said the VFA would provide security benefits.
Cayetano brandished a ''comfort letter'' signed by Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon. He had earlier demanded the letter stating that the Philippine government would not automatically waive jurisdiction over crimes committed by US personnel while on visits to the country. He cited this as a condition before voting for the VFA. ''This covenant is between the President of the Republic and the Filipinos. I expect the Estrada administration to faithfully comply to this covenant,'' Cayetano said. Coseteng said she was voting in favor, but that she reserved the right not to explain her vote. 'People's Park'
Unfazed by the earlier sweltering heat, more than 5,000 activists flocked to a makeshift ''People's Park'' in front of the Senate building in Pasay City. Members of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Pamalakaya, Karapatan and other cause-oriented organizations were present. The Catholic Church and other religious groups arrived under the Simbahan Labansa VFA banner led by Manila Auxiliary Bishop Teodoro Bacani. ''History will treat harshly those who voted for the VFA,'' said Bayan's Santiago. ''Pro-VFA senators will be blamed by generations of Filipinos for making them second-class citizens in their own land.''
Sonia Soto, chair of the Kilusan para sa Pambansang
Demokrasya, said the ratification of the VFA was an ''act of treason.''
Bayan-Central
Luzon was joined by about 50 Amerasians--children of Filipino entertainers by American
soldiers once detailed here--and Aetas forced off their land by the erection at the US
bases at Clark and Subic. ''Don't add to our race,'' shouted 15-year-old Louie
Guinto, who
said he hated his American father who had yet to acknowledge paternity. Other protest
actions were held in Angeles City, Pampanga; in Baguio City and at the social action
centers of the Northern Luzon Social Action Commission; and in Davao City. Bishop
Felixberto Calang of the Philippine Independent Church, a co-convenor of the Junk VFA
Movement, said yesterday's large turnout of protesters should serve as the ''opening
salvo'' of stronger and bigger protest actions.
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This was how Sen. Francisco Tatad described the Senate's concurrence on the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), claiming opposition in the chamber has failed to sway the agreement's sponsors. "The opposition has anchored most of its arguments on an over-ingenuous reading of the text of the agreement, but this has left the majority unimpressed," Tatad told a press conference.
In another development, Britain said it will seek a military training agreement with the Philippines after the Senate concurs with the VFA, British Embassy officials said. The proposed Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) would outline the legal jurisdiction for British troops taking part in military exercises in the country, First Secretary Peter Sullivan said. Defense Attaché Capt. Chris Peach said in a statement that even without such an agreement, a British destroyer, the HMS Glasgow, will visit Manila from May 22 to 27, during which it will take part in joint exercises at sea with the Philippine Navy.
Tatad, one of the three sponsors of a resolution urging Senate concurrence on the VFA, contended that with all points already fully discussed, senators will definitely ratify the agreement. "I believe they have all made up their minds. There are no more undecided votes," he said. The VFA needs 16 votes for its ratification. Tatad said he sees no delay to an expected Senate vote on May 24.
"While there are still some senators who will be asking questions on the floor, these will only be to clarify matters and should not be interpreted as opposition to the VFA," he said. Tatad said the committee on national defense expected to "conclude the period of interpolation in the next two days," ending 12 days of debate on the accord, which sets guidelines for visiting US troops during exercises held here.
"By Thursday we shall be prepared to vote on second reading so that we could cast our final vote and dispose of the resolution," he said. The VFA, signed by the Philippine government and Washington last year, would pave the way for resumption of annual large-scale joint military exercises which were last held in 1995. It is opposed by the influential Roman Catholic Church, rights groups, leftists and communist rebels because of the provision that gives
Washington jurisdiction over American soldiers who commit crimes while on official visits. Tatad said he was concerned over the reported division of religious leaders over the VFA. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has opposed the VFA while the powerful El Shaddai supports it.
Tatad, a leader of the Catholic organization Opus Dei, said the VFA involves technical rather than moral or ethical issues. "It should be debated among the people freely, without dragging in religion or anything extraneous into the debate. It is not immoral to support it, just as it is not immoral to oppose it," he said. The senator said spiritual leaders should encourage a free debate on the issue, as he urged unanimous support for democratic and constitutional processes. "This is the only way to guarantee a healthy plurality of opinion among citizens on the VFA and other technical issues. without endangering in any way the unity that they, as members of the Church, must profess on moral and ethical issues," he said.
In a related development, Executive Ronaldo Zamora expressed disappointment over the use of the Holy Mass to denounce President Estrada's support for VFA ratification. Zamora was referring to last Sunday's Mass services at the Church of Christ the King in Quezon City. He said Bishop Roman Tiples "rallied support for the Church's own anti-VFA stand through his sermon." "This should not have happened," the Executive Secretary said, noting that the President had recently tried to explain to Church leaders the administration's pro-VFA position.
At least 30 bishops from the Businessmen-Bishops Conference, led by Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, went to Malacañang last Thursday to discuss the VFA issue with Mr. Estrada and several Cabinet members. The President maintains that the Philippines stands to gain greater security and economic benefits once the Senate ratifies the VFA. "If that meeting did not take place, we could have understood their (bishops') action against the VFA. But they talked with us on their concerns and the President answered them on all the points raised. I think some of them were even convinced," Zamora said. Nevertheless, the Executive Secretary acknowledged that the bishops, like all Filipinos, are free to express their own opinions and views on any issue. "That's their right. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of expression. Their taking the anti-VFA sentiments to the pulpits, however, does not really change our stand," Zamora said.
Security Tightened after Bomb Threat
Security in the Senate was tightened yesterday after intelligence reports indicated the communist New People's Army (NPA) was planning to bomb the institution to disrupt the VFA proceedings. Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said senators "cannot be threatened" by the group and called on security officials to "take steps to ensure that these institutional proceedings are not disrupted and public safety is taken care of."
"The Senate as an institution cannot be bamboozled, manipulated or intimidated in the discharge of its constitutional functions," Biazon said. Among the precautionary measures being taken is the strict screening of people and vehicles entering the Senate premises. "If there is a need, reinforcement from the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces will be sought," Biazon said.