OFW group backs Japanese activists' call for US troop withdrawal
Amid allegations of rape and abuse of women by US servicemen in Okinawa, a group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) based in the Middle East echoed the calls of Japanese activists for the immediate pull out of US bases which they claimed has brought “mayhem" in the east-Asian country.
Migrante Middle East (Migrante-ME) sought the exit of US troops stationed in Japan after a report that a 21-year-old Filipino was raped by an American soldier in Okinawa, just two days after her departure from the Philippines.
“We strongly condemn in the strongest possible terms this atrocious act committed by US military servicemen, who after the crimes have been committed, can simply and freely leave Japan without paying the crimes they have committed against the victims," John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-ME regional coordinator, said on Thursday.
Prior to the incident involving the Filipina, a 14-year-old Japanese schoolgirl was allegedly raped by 38-year-old Marine staff sergeant Tyrone Luther Hadnott in a parked car.
The soldier has denied the accusation but has admitted to forcibly kissing the girl. He has not been charged.
“We are in solidarity and supporting the calls of Japanese citizens and activists in their legitimate demand address to the Bush administration to immediately pull out its military bases and troops which has been staying in Japan for quite sometime and bringing mayhem to the Japanese citizens in their own homeland," Monterona said.
No to US troops in RP
Aside from the permanent pull out of the US military facilities in Japan , Migrante-ME also called for the withdrawal of visiting US troops in the Philippines who are participating in the 2008 RP-US Balikatan exercises.
Balikatan 2008, a Philippine-US bilateral military humanitarian assistance and training exercise, kicked off on February 3 and will last until March. It is the 24th annual event of its kind held under the auspices of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
Monterona raised fears that the growing presence of American forces in Japan and the Philippines would make them more vulnerable to possible attacks by other Asian countries like North Korea which has long been deemed as an enemy of the US.
“The Bush administration, in line with its policy on ‘War on Terror’ strategically positioned its military bases and troops in Japan and nearby countries like the Philippines so that it can easily attack North Korea as its long time foe in Asia Pacific, which makes Japan and Philippines vulnerable to North Korea attack once a war between US and North Korea have occurred," Monterona explained.
Migrante-ME earlier condemned the statement of US embassy's FBI Legal Attaché Stephen Cutler that OFWs can be used to curb global terrorism.
Culter explained in a lecture on global terrorism last week that the more than eight million OFWs across the globe, some in countries believed to be ridden with terrorists, directly relay understanding of cultures to their family members.
While Migrante-ME agrees that Filipinos can easily relate with other nationalities around the world, Monterona said that “is not a reason why the Arroyo administration or any post-Arroyo government should heed this call using OFWs as a means to fight terrorism [in] whatever way."
Migrante-ME also slammed the continued recruitment of individuals through Blackwater Worldwide, a private company that provides Advanced Training, Logistics/Mobility, Technology/Innovation, and Human/Material resources for the US government’s post conflict and post disaster stabilization efforts.
According to the group, the company recruits “mercenaries" used by the US for its ‘war on terror’ in Iraq and Afghanistan.
To trumpet their concerns against the US military presence in Japan and the Philippines, Monterona is calling on everyone to join the interfaith prayer rally dubbed as ‘Manindigan para sa Katotohanan, Katarungan at Pagbabago’ on Friday on Ayala Avenue in Makati City. - Mark J. Ubalde, GMANews.TV
Migrante Middle East (Migrante-ME) sought the exit of US troops stationed in Japan after a report that a 21-year-old Filipino was raped by an American soldier in Okinawa, just two days after her departure from the Philippines.
“We strongly condemn in the strongest possible terms this atrocious act committed by US military servicemen, who after the crimes have been committed, can simply and freely leave Japan without paying the crimes they have committed against the victims," John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-ME regional coordinator, said on Thursday.
Prior to the incident involving the Filipina, a 14-year-old Japanese schoolgirl was allegedly raped by 38-year-old Marine staff sergeant Tyrone Luther Hadnott in a parked car.
The soldier has denied the accusation but has admitted to forcibly kissing the girl. He has not been charged.
“We are in solidarity and supporting the calls of Japanese citizens and activists in their legitimate demand address to the Bush administration to immediately pull out its military bases and troops which has been staying in Japan for quite sometime and bringing mayhem to the Japanese citizens in their own homeland," Monterona said.
No to US troops in RP
Aside from the permanent pull out of the US military facilities in Japan , Migrante-ME also called for the withdrawal of visiting US troops in the Philippines who are participating in the 2008 RP-US Balikatan exercises.
Balikatan 2008, a Philippine-US bilateral military humanitarian assistance and training exercise, kicked off on February 3 and will last until March. It is the 24th annual event of its kind held under the auspices of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
Monterona raised fears that the growing presence of American forces in Japan and the Philippines would make them more vulnerable to possible attacks by other Asian countries like North Korea which has long been deemed as an enemy of the US.
“The Bush administration, in line with its policy on ‘War on Terror’ strategically positioned its military bases and troops in Japan and nearby countries like the Philippines so that it can easily attack North Korea as its long time foe in Asia Pacific, which makes Japan and Philippines vulnerable to North Korea attack once a war between US and North Korea have occurred," Monterona explained.
Migrante-ME earlier condemned the statement of US embassy's FBI Legal Attaché Stephen Cutler that OFWs can be used to curb global terrorism.
Culter explained in a lecture on global terrorism last week that the more than eight million OFWs across the globe, some in countries believed to be ridden with terrorists, directly relay understanding of cultures to their family members.
While Migrante-ME agrees that Filipinos can easily relate with other nationalities around the world, Monterona said that “is not a reason why the Arroyo administration or any post-Arroyo government should heed this call using OFWs as a means to fight terrorism [in] whatever way."
Migrante-ME also slammed the continued recruitment of individuals through Blackwater Worldwide, a private company that provides Advanced Training, Logistics/Mobility, Technology/Innovation, and Human/Material resources for the US government’s post conflict and post disaster stabilization efforts.
According to the group, the company recruits “mercenaries" used by the US for its ‘war on terror’ in Iraq and Afghanistan.
To trumpet their concerns against the US military presence in Japan and the Philippines, Monterona is calling on everyone to join the interfaith prayer rally dubbed as ‘Manindigan para sa Katotohanan, Katarungan at Pagbabago’ on Friday on Ayala Avenue in Makati City. - Mark J. Ubalde, GMANews.TV
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