Abrogate VFA and Condemn the Acquittal of Daniel Smith

Abrogate VFA and Condemn the Acquittal of Daniel Smith

Reference: Ivy Rivero, Gabriela Youth Coordinator, Bicol (09052613930)

There is still hope amidst hopelessness.

With Court of Appeals reversing the Makati RTC ruling and acquitting Lance Corporal Daniel Smith last 23 April for lack of evidence manifesting the indication of force, threat and intimidation on Nicole, several groups expressed their adamant condemnation on the latter by conducting a protest action in front of the compound of the appellate court this morning and another at the US embassy this afternoon.

Such demonstration is a clear manifestation of the people’s grave disappointment and disapproval on the verdict of the justice system of the Philippine government on the issue and the upshots of the lopsided orders posed by the VFA. Likewise, the acquittal depicts that the Philippines-US ties will always supersede over national sovereignty and public interest. These flawed acts and defective methods are a big letdown to the national patrimony and integrity. They are strictly unforgivable and intolerable.

As long as the US-RP VFA is still on the run, legitimate justice and fairness is out of reach. Furthermore, the American troops will always have diversionary tactics to flee from their criminal liabilities.

There is an apparent and imminent need to reiterate and reaffirm the country’s principles regarding the resumption of the people’s sovereignty and dignity that we are fundamentally endowed with. To tolerate these continued unequal treatments and malicious schemes will further put the lives of the Filipino women at stake and incessantly undermine the value of justice and fairness. In due course, if these unrelenting semblances of injustice and disregard of women’s rights will not be dealt with accordingly, the country will take its toll and succumb in the hands of US.

We call upon the people to support this drive in firmly denouncing the VFA and Philippine Justice System. If we want to achieve justice and equality, we need to seriously act on these intricate matters. We do NOT need VFA and more importantly, we do NOT need US intervention. We have the people and one another to sustain and alleviate the nation from this mess that we are in. Amidst adversities and these legal and constitutional battles, there is still hope for the Philippines if we will unite and grasp firmly the lessons of the past by upholding the national sovereignty and the national interest together, resolutely and steadfastly.

Denounce Smith’s Acquittal!

US troops, VFA drive them out now!