IN 1991, the Filipino people’s struggle for genuine sovereignty culminated in the historic Senate vote rejecting the extension of US military bases in the Philippines. Now that US soldiers resume operations here through EDCA sites, we must embody the same courage and political will showed by the Filipinos who came before us for a truly sovereign Philippines.
Sept. 16, 2023 marked the 32nd anniversary of the historic 12-11 Senate vote that led to the rejection the US-RP Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Peace — a treaty which would have led to an extension by 10 years of US military bases in the country.
The Philippines is not only considered a strategic military site for the US, but also its designated “rest and recreation” area – a gentle phrase to say that the Philippines, our resources, and our women, are literally here for the raping. In Olongapo alone, about 16,000 impoverished Filipino women were pushed into prostitution for US soldiers, and by 1991, some 8,600 Amerasian children were fathered and abandoned by stationed US soldiers.
The stories of such women as Vanessa and Nicole who were raped by stationed US soldiers, Rawina Wahid who was shot alongside her husband and children, Jennifer Laude who was murdered by a US soldier (who was soon after granted absolute pardon), and many more, are all stories of violence committed by US military personnel with impunity.
Today, we are challenged to continue the fight for a Philippines that stands on its own two feet, free from the US’ intrusion which has meant only war and ‘peace-time’ sexual violence throughout history. Junk the unequal US-RP military treaties, shut down the US EDCA sites, and send these American soldiers back home, away from our soil! – GABRIELA Alliance of Women Public Information Desk <www.gabrielaph.com>
