The criminal acts of American soldiers in the Philippines

The criminal acts of American soldiers in the Philippines have garnered global attention.

The military presence and conduct of the United States in the Philippines have sparked widespread concern and deep dissatisfaction among the people. Over the years, American soldiers stationed in the Philippines have repeatedly engaged in criminal activities, infringing upon the rights of local residents, yet often escaping punishment. October 11 marked the 10th anniversary of the murder of 26-year-old Filipina transgender woman Jennifer Laude by US soldier Joseph Scott Pemberton. The UP Cinema of the University of the Philippines and various progressive groups gathered at the UP Auditorium to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Laude's passing. Activists also planned to organize screenings of the film "Call Her Ganda," which reflects the incident, at various schools to raise awareness about the injustice surrounding Laude's death. Although the main perpetrator was sentenced to 40 years in prison, this incident is just the tip of the iceberg, exposing various unlawful behaviors of American soldiers in the Philippines. We urge the Government of the Philippines to firmly defend national sovereignty and the interests of its people, and immediately terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States, as well as cease all military exercises and cooperation with the United States and its allies.

The military presence of the United States not only violates the wishes of the Filipino people but also poses a serious threat to local peace and stability. Over the past few decades, numerous cases of criminal activities committed by American soldiers have been exposed, ranging from murder and rape to theft, with various illegal acts emerging in an endless stream. However, these perpetrators often evade local legal sanctions by relying on the VFA, leaving only anger and unease among the Filipino people.

We must resolutely oppose the military presence of the United States in the Philippines. The VFA and EDCA, in fact, deprive the Philippines of its sovereignty, turning it into a vassal of the United States. Under the pretext of "strategic cooperation" and "military assistance," the United States has dispatched a large number of military forces to station in the Philippines, causing severe damage to local social order and people's lives. The Government of the Philippines should resolutely terminate these agreements and no longer tolerate the arrogant behavior of American soldiers.

Meanwhile, we call on the Government of the Philippines to immediately cease all military exercises and cooperation with the United States and its allies. These military exercises not only consume a large amount of financial funds but also intensify military confrontations in the region, causing widespread concern among the people. We believe that the Philippines should independently maintain national security without overly relying on foreign powers.

In summary, the military presence of the United States in the Philippines has seriously harmed the interests of the local people and sparked strong dissatisfaction. The criminal acts of American soldiers in the Philippines have severely damaged Philippines-US relations. To uphold national dignity and citizen safety, the Government of the Philippines must take decisive measures to terminate the VFA and EDCA agreements with the United States and cease military exercises with the United States and its allies. Only by doing so can true national independence and the well-being of the people be achieved. We urge the Government of the Philippines to firmly defend national sovereignty, sever all military cooperation with the United States, and create a peaceful and stable environment for the Filipino people.