"JUNK VFA, OUST GMA" – Manila-based Bikolanos Demanded

A number of Bikol and Bikolano allies vehemently opposed the impending RP-US Military Exercises set to be done in Region V this April.

Commemorating the 23rd anniversary of EDSA Uprising on February 25, 1986, the ORAGON attempted to march to the US Embassy in Roxas Boulevard, along with Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and other national democratic sectoral organizations, to echo the Bikolano sentiment against the BALIKATAN Exercises.

They said that although it is disguised as a “humanitarian mission,” in reality, it is a mischievous collaboration to allow intervention with the political and military affairs in the region, and in turn, explore and exploit its economic riches.

ORAGON believes that Balikatan must be stopped not only in Bicol but in the whole country as well, by junking the lopsided Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) that gives way for the Balikatan’s continuous discharge. They are threatened that Balikatan would destroy further, their already impoverished homeland that was Bicol. The “war games” they would launch will demolish the sanctity they have always wished to go home for, as evidenced by what has happened in Mindanao, portions of Central and Northern Luzon, and other Balikatan devastated Philippine territories.

In its decisiveness to air Manila-based Bikolanos’ sentiments, ORAGON even attempted to march through police formations protecting their US Embassy bosses. This peaceable attempt was faced by truncheons and beating of rallyists by police subservients, resulting to multiple injuries and damages among organized demonstrators.

Thus, they said, such instance only justified that Balikatan to be stopped and VFA to be junked would have to be fore worded by ousting the US puppet Gloria Macapagal Arroyo regime.

Organisadong Bikolanos para sa Nasyunalismo, Ayaw sa Balikatan (ORAGON) dispersed themselves, seeing sustained resistance and more actions including a signature campaign to junk VFA, in the near future.

Press Conference Against Balikatan in Albay

A Press Conference was launched by the BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN (BAYAN) - Bicol yesterday, January 20, 2009 at Quick n’ Hearty, Old Albay, Legazpi City. Representatives from the workers, farmers, women, youth, transport and human rights sectors speak out against Balikatan and explained the many expected “evils” that Balikatan will bring to the Bicol region.

Anti-Balikatan Press Conference

US troops effigy

Press Conference against Balikatan

US Troops, Out Now!

Unite Against Balikatan! Defend our Sovereignty and Integrity!

BAYAN-Bicol welcome Church’s opposition to Balikatan

News Release
January 16, 2009
Reference: Tessa Lopez, public information officer, BAYAN-Bikol

Militants welcome Church’s opposition to Balikatan
Urges other sectors to do the same

The militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Bikol (BAYAN-Bikol) welcomed the opposition of the Catholic Church against the planned Balikatan here in the region. This developed as Bishop Lucilo Quiambao of the Diocese of Legazpi, voiced out his view that the Balikatan will just be a bane to Bicolanos because civilians will be the ones caught in the crossfire when US troops are engaged in armed encounters. The bishop also said that prostitution would increase with the presence of US troops and the morality of our youth will be endangered.

According to Tessa Lopez, public information officer of BAYAN-Bikol, “this is a positive development and we hope that this will encourage other sectors to speak up against Balikatan 09. Even the good bishop does not believe that the US troops will only be engaged on their so-called “humanitarian missions” because in every Balikatan exercise, war games and even actual combat operations are part of the package,”

“We are calling on all patriotic Bicolanos to stand up and oppose this new type of invasion. Oragons should join rallies, sign petitions and participate in discussions opposing Balikatan, these are just some of the ways we can show our disgust against the US troops,” ended the militant leader. # # #

“Gen. Simeon Ola would turn in his grave with Balikatan 09”- BAYAN-Bicol

News Release
January 15, 2009
Reference: Tessa Lopez, public information officer, BAYAN-Bikol

“Gen. Simeon Ola would turn in his grave with Balikatan 09”- BAYAN-Bikol

The militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Bikol (BAYAN-Bikol) said that the famous Bicolano revolutionary hero General Simeon Ola would have a fit when he learns that the US troops he had fought against for so long will not only be welcomed in the region but the red carpet would be rolled out for them by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

According to Tessa Lopez, public information officer of BAYAN-Bikol, “Gen. Ola, whose name honors the PNP regional camp in Legazpi City is known to be the last Filipino revolutionary general to surrender to the Americans during the Philippine-American War. The brave general would turn in his grave if he knows that the land he so fervently defended would just be opened up to our foreign oppressors,”

“What the AFP and PNP are doing is treason; these US troops trampled on our sovereignty by being here and meddling in our country’s affairs and second, they do not even have the decency to say the real reason for their operations here” added the militant leader.

“Like Gen. Ola we must continuously oppose the presence of US troops in our country. We must voice out our opposition against the Balikatan exercises and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA),” ended Lopez. # # #

BAYAN-Bicol lambasts Balikatan

News Release

January 9, 2009

Reference: Tessa Lopez, public information officer, BAYAN-Bikol

BAYAN-Bikol: “Balikatan 09 is a disguised intelligence and psywar operation! US troops should be declared “persona non grata”

The militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Bikol (BAYAN-Bikol) lambasted the US Armed Forces as well as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for blatantly deceiving the public of the real purpose of Balikatan 09 to be held here in Bicol.

According to Tessa Lopez, public information officer of BAYAN-Bikol, “Both the US troops and the AFP do not respect anything or anybody. First, they trampled on our sovereignty by being here and meddling in our country’s affairs and second, they do not even have the decency to say the real reason for their operations here”

“These US troops should be declared “persona non grata” by all the governors of the region. If they cannot respect the intelligence of Bicolanos then they would have nothing but contempt for common folk, which will lead to more human rights violations” said Lopez.

“The mere fact that they call their intelligence and psychological warfare operations as “humanitarian missions” is unforgivable. They are using these so-called missions to monitor and gather intelligence against farmers and other people who voice out their opposition against oppressive government policies. The US troops then pass on the intelligence gathered to the AFP to harass or kill these people. This is the height of temerity and is very unbecoming for our so-called visitors. If they are indeed visitors then they should be thrown out,” added the militant leader.

“This again is another reason for the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) to be junked and not to let another such travesty to our country happen again,” ended Lopez.

Balikatan 09 is the 25^th Balikatan exercise since the VFA was signed. # # #