Uphold Philippine sovereignty! Unity statement and initial signatories

> >
> STATEMENT OF UNITY
> OUT NOW! (OUT WITH US TROOPS NOW!)
>
> Despite serious questions about its conduct, purpose and legality,
the
> Balikatan 02-01 military exercise goes on in Basilan, Zamboanga and
Cebu.
>
> More than 600 US troops and thousands of Filipino soldiers are taking
part
> in this unprecedented “joint military exercise” that involves the use
of
> live ammunition in actual combat zones against live targets the Abu
Sayyaf
> bandits.
>
> We raise the following major concerns about the alleged exercise:
>
> · Activities under Balikatan 02-01 are not military exercises
but are
> more in the nature of joint combat operations. American troops will
stay
> for prolonged periods, will participate in military operations and
may even
> engage in unilateral actions, including firing back when provoked.
> · Such activities are beyond the scope of the 1951 Mutual
Defense
> Treaty. Thus, Balikatan 02-01 violates the Constitutional ban on the
entry
> of foreign troops and facilities unless under a treaty duly
recognized by
> both countries. Moreover the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement of 1999
itself
> does not allow the participation of US troops in combat operations.
> · Balikatan 02-01 was secretly planned and executed, with
normal
> procedures and protocols short-circuited or out rightly ignored. It
was
> launched last Jan. 31 without definite “terms of reference” between
the
> Philippines and the US.
> · The primordial issue of collusion among military officials,
local
> politicians, self-styled negotiators and the Abu Sayyaf has yet to be
> resolved. This is crucial for any effort against the Abu Sayyaf to
succeed.
> · The involvement of US troops threatens to escalate,
complicate and
> bring to the international arena what is essentially an internal
police
> problem.
>
> We therefore demand the following:
>
> 1. That the Macapagal-Arroyo government release to the public the
Exercise
> Plan and Terms of Reference of Balikatan 02-01 including the mission,
> situation, objectives, type of training exercise, duration, area,
forces,
> concept of training and logistics involved. In particular we want to
know,
> the role of US forces in such exercises;
> 2. That bilateral relations between the Philippines and the US,
including
> the 1999 RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the 1951 Mutual
Defense
> Treaty (MDT) be reviewed to prevent US armed intervention in our
internal
> affairs;
> 3. That the government first resolve the issue of the Abu Sayyaf’s
> collusion with civilian and military officials, politician-warlords
and
> self-styled negotiators;
> 4. That pending satisfactory resolution of the above issues, the
Balikatan
> 02-01 exercises be suspended and US troops be immediately pulled out
> especially in Zamboanga and Basilan.
>
> February 6, 2002
> University of the Philippines
> Diliman, Quezon City
>
> Initial List of Signatories
>
> 1. Most Rev. Deogracias Iñiguez, Bishop of Iba, Zambales
> 2. Capt. Danilo P. Vizmanos PN ret.
> 3. Sr. Mary John Mananzan OSB
> 4. Rep. Satur Ocampo
> 5. Rep. Crispin Beltran
> 6. Rep. Liza Maza
> 7. Ex-Sen. Wigberto Tañada
> 8. Dr. Reynaldo Lesaca Jr. MD
> 9. Teodoro Casiño
> 10. Bishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD, Bishop of Malolos,
Bulacan
> 11. Amado Gat Inciong
> 12. Pete Lacaba
> 13. Bienvenido Lumbera
> 14. Fr. Joe Dizon
> 15. Dr. Elmer Ordoñez
> 16. Gil Portes
> 17. Carlito Siguion Reyna
> 18. Mel Chionglo
> 19. Bibeth Orteza
> 20. Isabel Lopez
> 21. Soc Jose
> 22. Ricky Lee
> 23. Joel Lamangan
> 24. Atty. Arthur Lim, former IBP president
> 25. Public Interest Law Center
> 26. Iloilo Legal Law Center
> 27. Dr. Joseph Carabeo
> 28. Atty. Rom-Voltaire Quizon
> 29. Atty. Rachel Pastores
> 30. Atty. Edre Olalia
> 31. Atty. Pete Meliza
> 32. Atty. John Baterna
> 33. Atty. Mario Sanfelix
> 34. Atty. Domingo Añonuevo
> 35. Atty. Josephine Sidiangco
> 36. Atty. Claire Padilla
> 37. Atty. Dennis Gorecho
> 38. Atty. Perfecto Caparas III
> 39. Atty. Manuel Tan
> 40. Atty. Nenita Mahinay
> 41. Dr. Huda Lim
> 42. Abdulah Kamlian, Islamic Welfare Society of the Philippines
> 43. Leto Villar
> 44. Roy Velarde, Coalition of Bank Unions
> 45. Manny Sarmiento, Kilusang Mayo Uno
> 46. Douglas Dumanon, Kilusang Mayo Uno
> 47. Sr. Lita Navarro
> 48. Prof. Felipe de Leon
> 49. Shane Lumbera
> 50. Tita Ordoñez
> 51. Prof. Raul Segovia
> 52. Prof. Ed. Villegas
> 53. Joey Papa
> 54. Dr. Cora Rivera
> 55. Romy Abaya
> 56. Malou Turalde
> 57. Prolabor
> 58. Carlton Palm, Presbyterian Church USA
> 59. Dean Lito Manalili, UP College of Social Work and Community
> Development
>
> 1. PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATIONS (54)
>
> 1. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)
> 2. Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)
> 3. Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)
> 4. Anakbayan
> 5. League of Filipino Students (LFS)
> 6. Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP)
> 7. National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP)
> 8. College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)
> 9. Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan (KARATULA)
> 10. Kalipunan ng Kabataang Kristiyano sa Pilipinas (KKKP)
> 11. Gabriela
> 12. Moro Christian People’s Alliance (MCPA)
> 13. Muslim Sariah
> 14. United Youth of the Philippines (UNYPHIL)
> 15. Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY)
> 16. Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan (KMK)
> 17. Samahan ng Malayang Kababaihang Nagkakaisa (SAMAKANA)
> 18. Pambansang Pederasyon ng Kababaihang Magbubukid (AMIHAN)
> 19. Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT)
> 20. Congress of Teachers and Educators for Nationalism and
Democracy
> (CONTEND)
> 21. Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of
Government
> Employees (COURAGE)
> 22. Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD)
> 23. Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace (EMJP)
> 24. Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples’ Rights (KARAPATAN)
> 25. Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainee Laban sa Detensyon at Para sa
Amnestiya
> (SELDA)
> 26. Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya (PAMALAKAYA)
> 27. Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR)
> 28. Migrante International
> 29. Kabataang Migrante para sa Bayan (KAMIYAN)
> 30. Kalipunan ng Migranteng Pilipino at Pamilya (KMPP)
> 31. Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan sa Pilipinas (KAMP)
> 32. Tunay na Alyansa ng Bayan Alay sa Katutubo (TABAK)
> 33. Kabataan para sa Tribong Pilipino (KATRIBU)
> 34. Progressive Organization of Gays in the Philippines (PROGAY)
> 35. Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (KALIKASAN)
> 36. Samahan ng Nagtataguyod ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa
Sambayanan
> (AGHAM)
> 37. AGHAM Youth
> 38. Center for Environmental Concerns (CEC)
> 39. Sentro para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo (SENTRA)
> 40. National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates (NNARA)
> 41. NNARA Youth
> 42. Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns (SALINLAHI)
> 43. Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC)
> 44. Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor
Nationwide
> (PISTON)
> 45. Center for Health and Development (CHD)
> 46. Alliance of Health Workers (AHW)
> 47. First Quarter Storm Movement (FQSM)
> 48. August Twenty One Movement (ATOM-BAYAN)
> 49. Sinagbayan
> 50. Amado V. Hernandez Resource Center (AVHRC)
> 51. Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP)
> 52. Musicians for Peace
> 53. Sining Bugkos
> 54. Sining Lila
>
> SECTORAL ALLIANCES (3)
>
> 1. CHURCH PEOPLE CRY: OUT WITH US TROOPS NOW! (CRY OUT NOW!)
> 1. Most Rev. Tomas Millamena
> Supreme Bishop
> Iglesia Filipina Independiente
> 2. Most. Rev. Deogracias Iñiguez Jr. DD
> Bishop, Iba, Zambales, and Vice Chairperson
> Ecumenical Commission on Ecumenical Affairs
> Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines
> 3. Bishop Elmer Bolocon
> General Secretary
> United Church of Christ in the Philippines
> 4. Bishop Solito Toquero
> Resident Bishop, Manila Episcopal Area
> United Methodist Church
> 5. Bishop Gabriela Garol
> Spokesperson
> Ecumenical Bishops Forum
> 6. Bishop Alan Ray Sarte
> Co-Chairperson
> Promotion of Church People’s Response
> 7. Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz Duremdez
> General Secretary
> National Council of Churches in the Philippines
> 8. Sr. Pat Fox
> National Coordinator
> Rural Missionaries of the Philippines
> 9. Rev. Fr. Allan Arcebuche OFM
> Coordinator, OFM Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation
> Spokesperson, Promotion of Church People’s Response
> 10. Rev. Fr. Oliver Estor SOLT
> Spokesperson
> Kairos Philippines
> 11. Rev. Fr. Wilfredo Ruazol
> Coordinator, National Priests’ Organization
> Iglesia Filipina Independiente
> 12. Rev. Fr. Charlie Ricafort OSC
> Task Force Urban Conscientization
> 13. Rev. Ruby Nell Estrella
> District Superintendent, Manila Episcopal Area
> United Methodist Church
> 14. Sr. Conchita Valerio RVM
> Coordinator, Campus Social Ministry
> St. Mary’s Academy, Bulacan
> 15. Lilith Usog
> National Coordinator
> Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians
> 16. Darlene Marquez Caramanzana
> Executive Secretary, Board of Women’s Work
> United Methodist Church
> 17. Bayani Alonzo
> Chairperson
> Student Christian Movement of the Philippines
> 18. Norma Dollaga
> General Secretary
> Kapatirang Simbahan para sa Bayan
> 19. Amie Dural
> Deputy Secretary
> Promotion of Church People’s Response
> 20. Rev. Fr. Rex Reyes
> Ecumenical Bishops Forum
> 2. ANTI-IMPERIALIST MOVEMENT OF THE YOUTH (AIM OF THE YOUTH)
> 1. Anakbayan
> 2. League of Filipino Students (LFS)
> 3. Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP)
> 4. National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP)
> 5. College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)
> 6. Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan (KARATULA)
> 7. Kalipunan ng Kabataang Kristiyano sa Pilipinas (KKKP)
>
> 3. KABATAAN LABAN SA AGRESYON AT GIYERA (KALASAG-NCR)
>
> Philippine Christian University
> Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
> Pamantasan ng Makati
> Mapua Institute of Technology
> Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Tchnology
>
>
>
> REGIONAL ALLIANCES (3)
>
> 1. CENTRAL LUZON ALLIANCE FOR A SOVEREIGN PHILIPPINES (CLASP)
> 1. Atty. Jose Suarez
> Chairperson, CLASP
> 2. Bishop Alberto Ramento
> Diocese of Tarlac and Western Pampanga
> Iglesia Filipina Independiente
> 3. Hon. Pat Laderas
> Board Member, 1st Dist., Bulacan
> 4. Hon. Ernesto Mendoza
> Board Member, 2nd Dist., Bulacan
> 5. Hon.. Tony Ligon
> Board Member, 3rd Dist, Bulacan
> 6. Hon. Abel Ladera
> Councilor, Tarlac City
> 7. Pastor Ruel Mendoza
> Chairperson, Central Luzon Ecumenical Council
> 8. Dr. Virginia Madred MD
> Secretary-General, Health Alliance for Democracy-Central Luzon
> 9. Sr. Alice Sobrevinia, OSB
> Holy Family Academy, Angeles City
> 10. Sr. Conchita Valerio, Rvm
> Chairperson, Gabriela-Central Luzon
> 11. Fr. Luisito Egnan
> Diocese of Rizal and Pampanga
> Iglesia Filipina Independiente
> 12. Fr. Marcelito Paez
> Chairperson, BAYAN-Nueva Ecija
>
> 2. PANAY MOVEMENT FOR NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY (PMNS)
>
> 3. OUT OF MINDANOW!-DAVAO CITY
>
> OTHER REGIONAL SIGNATORIES
>
> Negros
>
> 1. Rev. Reuel Marigza
> UCCP-Dumaguete City
> 2. Rev. Fr. Everett Mendoza
> 3. Pastor Reuel Marvosa
> Divinity School, Siliman University
> 4. BAYAN-Negros Oriental
> 5. National Federation of Sugarworkers-Negros Oriental
> 6. Makataong Organisasyon ng mga Tsuper at Operators (MOTOR)
> 7. Negros Rural Assistance Program (NRAP)
> 8. Farmers Development Center - Negros Oriental
>
> Baguio City
>
> 1. Hon. Leandro Yangot, Baguio City councilor
> 2. Cordillera People’s Alliance (CPA)
> 3. Dinteg
> 4. Tongtongan ti Umili
>
> Cebu
>
> 1. Kahugpungan sa Nasudnong Kaugalingnan (KNL)
>
> Cagayan de Oro
>
> 1. Atty. Beverly S. Musni, Karapatan
> 2. Fr. Antonio Ablon, PCPR and IFI
> 3. Nero Vallar, Bayan Muna Regional Coordinator
> 4. Domitilo Chong, Anakbayan
> 5. Ryan Guerrero, Bayan-Cagayan de Oro
> 6. Lalae P. Garcia, Gabriela-CDO Misamis Oriental
> 7. Sining Lumaban Para sa Bayan (SILAB)
> 8. LFS
> 9. SCMP
> 10. MOFA-KMP
> 11. Kadamay