House Resolution 1020 by Bayan Muna, Gabriela and Anakpawis Partylist Reps Re: Balikatan in Bicol

Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

FOURTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 1020

______________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCED by Reps. SATUR C. OCAMPO and TEODORO A. CASIÑO (Bayan Muna),

LIZA L. MAZA and LUZVIMINDA C. ILAGAN (Gabriela), and RAFAEL V. MARIANO (Anakpawis)

______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION
DIRECTING THE COMMITTEES ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY TO JOINTLY OR SEPARATELY CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE IMPACT OF THE RP-US BALIKATAN JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES TO OUR NATION’S SOVEREIGNTY AND THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE IN THE BICOL REGION

WHEREAS, the Bicol region has the distinction of having the last Filipino General to surrender during the Philippine-American war – General Simeon A. Ola – who along with other patriots, fervently defended the region and the whole country against the American colonizers;

WHEREAS, a new type of invasion is happening in Bicol in the form of the RP-US Balikatan (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) exercises that will see thousands of US troops enter four provinces of the region from February 25 to April 30, 2009;

WHEREAS, Balikatan 2009 is to be the 25th annual event of its kind under the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) of 1951 and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Both the US and Philippine national governments claim that this event shall comprise “humanitarian missions” in Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate;

WHEREAS, the Balikatan exercises and the VFA violate our national sovereignty because they cause the prolonged presence of foreign troops on Philippine soil despite the absence of any basing treaty;

WHEREAS, the VFA, as crafted and implemented, does not specify or limit the number of US troops allowed entry into the Philippines or delineate the areas and activities in the country that the “visiting” troops can have access to for a particular time frame. The VFA allows US troops to enter military camps, civilian facilities and even areas of actual internal armed conflicts such as Sulu and Basilan provinces;

WHEREAS, the VFA does not specify or limit the duration of the stay of the “visiting” US forces. The agreement’s vagueness in this respect allows the continuing, even if rotational, presence of US troops in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the VFA does not explicitly prohibit activities that violate our Constitution, such as direct combat involvement of US forces. The VFA allows the US to deploy an unlimited number of troops, for an unspecified duration, anywhere in country for a broad range of activities that may not be limited to “joint exercises;”

WHEREAS, since the “visiting” US troops are not required to present visas like other foreign visitors, there is really no way under the VFA for the public to know how long they actually stay, when they will leave and when they would return;

WHEREAS, the presence of US troops, even if on a rotational basis, has become permanent. For example the structures in Camp Navarro in Zamboanga have been ‘permanently occupied’ by US Special Forces, 365 days a year, for almost six years now;

WHEREAS, there are several “exercises” and activities between US and RP armed forces throughout the year, all of which are said to be approved by the Mutual Defense Board. However, there have been many conflicting statements from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other government officials on whether or not the current batch of US forces (both in civilian clothes and in combat fatigues) in the country are covered by any joint exercise;

WHEREAS, according to Major Ramon Zagala, AFP spokesperson for the annual Balikatan, about 6,000 US troops will join 2,500 Filipino soldiers in “humanitarian missions” and “civic actions” from April 16 to 28 with the main part of the exercises to take place at Filipino military bases north and south of Manila;

WHEREAS, Maj. Zagala also said that the US government would spend at least US$2 million on the exercises and would bring in a number of warships and aircraft, including F-16 fighter planes into the country. He also added that US military medics and engineers would also conduct clinics and build schools and other basic infrastructure in the Bicol region;

WHEREAS, the terms “humanitarian mission” and “civic action” have become the standard response of both the AFP and the US embassy every time US forces get involved in incidents that are not covered by the VFA, such as operating unmanned spy planes, or being part of AFP military convoys that engage in combat missions;

WHEREAS, the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) by US forces in Mindanao and now in Bicol have been reported in media. The Mindanao Examiner reported that a UAV crashed in Jolo, Sulu (February 2006); an unmanned spy plane reportedly crashed in Mount Tumatangis in Jolo (November 2005); and a Predator-type drone crashed in the sea off Zamboanga City (March 2002);

WHEREAS, various media reports have said that “the US military has a fleet of various unmanned spy planes, from palm-size remote-controlled aircraft to bigger and sophisticated high-altitude, long-range, remotely piloted vehicles designed for long-endurance photographic reconnaissance and electronic surveillance missions, and as attack aircrafts;”

WHEREAS, the AFP has defended presence of US spy planes. Maj. Gamal Hayudini, a spokesperson for the AFP Southern Command, told the Zamboanga Journal that “there is nothing to fear about the US drones. It is being used to survey areas where humanitarian activities will be jointly undertaken by US and Philippine troops.” This does not answer who controls the surveillance equipment, grants authority for its use and who are the targets of spying;

WHEREAS, the use of these UAVs are not limited to surveillance activities. They can also be used as lethal offensive weapons, such as the cases of US forces in Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan;

WHEREAS, on January 29, 2009 around 6:30pm, a US UAV drone crashed between the towns of Esperanza and Pio V. Corpuz in Masbate province;

WHEREAS, sometime in January 2009, a US naval officer visited several hospitals in Albay province, asking health care personnel if they had orthopedic facilities. This also shows that US are preparing to do “war games” and possibly participate in direct combat operations with the AFP;

WHEREAS, “humanitarian missions” and “civic actions” are part of the “communications strategy” being employed by the US armed forces to justify their continued presence in the country as stated in the Strategic Communication document of the US Pacific Command (PACOM) Pacific Joint Training Strategy. Such activities are undertaken “to educate elected officials, opinion leaders and the public on the importance of military training; build public trust and support of training activities; portray the cost of readiness and potential impact of not being ready…and highlight the military as good stewards of the environment;”

WHEREAS, humanitarian missions are not the main activities of US Special Forces in previous joint exercises in Central Luzon, Mindanao and Panay. It will not be different in the exercises to be launched in Bicol. They are merely part of a “communications strategy” that is subsumed to strategic US military thrusts. In the US Pacific Command Joint Training Strategy 2007, the umbrella plan for activities such as the Balikatan, it stated that “the overarching goal of the Pacific Joint Training Strategy is to ensure U.S. forces are ready to respond promptly and effectively to any and all contingencies that may confront our nation;”

WHEREAS, it has been ten years since the VFA came into effect. Under this agreement, especially from 2002 to the present, various illegal and criminal activities involving American troops have placed the general safety of the local people into question;

WHEREAS, there is a pressing need to look into the current tack of the AFP interpreting foreign policy and the application of relevant treaties and agreements with regard to the Balikatan exercises;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Committees on Foreign Relations and National Defense and Security, jointly or separately, conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the impact of Balikatan exercises to our nation’s sovereignty and the safety of the people in the Bicol region.

Adopted,

SATUR C. OCAMPO TEODORO A. CASIÑO LIZA L. MAZA

Bayan Muna Party List Bayan Muna Party List Gabriela Womens Party

LUZVIMINDA C. ILAGAN RAFAEL V. MARIANO

Gabriela Womens Party Anakpawis Party List

BAN Balikatan Unity Statement

We, the Bikolano Alliance for Nationalism against Balikatan (BAN BALIKATAN) composed of Sorsogon United Movement Against Balikatan (SUMABA KA), Alyansa ng Mamamayang Albayano Laban sa Balikatan (ALMAALAB), Ugnayan ng Mamamayan Laban sa Balikatan - Camarines Sur Alliance, Youth Stop Balikatan, together with various people’s organization raise ourselves as one voice in strongly opposing the RP-US Balikatan in Bikol.

We believe that our right to self-determination and national sovereignty charts the course of our destiny as a people, a region and a country. We cannot allow this right to be trampled upon by continuous US intervention through the Balikatan Exercises in the region under the guise of “humanitarian missions.”

We believe that the long history of American intervention and control in our country and in the region brought about our backward economy and dependence. This dependence and control was put into various unilateral treaties signed between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States granting parity rights, economic and political rights favorable to American interests. They are the same interests that prompt the conduct of of the 25th Balikatan exercises in Bikol.

We believe that the constitutional mandate of the termination of the RP-US Military Bases in 1991 has not been fully respected. The safeguard of American interests in the South East Asia and Pacific rim was ensured through the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Balikatan Exercises that was based on the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA).

We vehemently abhor the disrespect for the constitutional provisions barring nuclear weapons in our country, and we demand for the accountability of damages caused by the toxic wastes brought by the Americans to our country.

We likewise put in question the provisions in the VFA, exempting American soldiers from criminal jurisdiction in the Philippine courts. We believe that such provisions are anti-people and disregard our dignity as a people.

We likewise believe that the Mutual Defense Treaty all the more put our country under threat of being a battleground of war between the US and its rival powers as proven during the second world war.

We expose the true character of the Arroyo government as a great protector of American interests and violator of human rights. The government’s war on terrorism justified under Oplan Bantay Laya I and II is supportive of the US global war against terrorism which have cause enormous violations of human rights ranging from threat, displacement of communities, abuse of women and children and extrajudicial killings which remain unresolved until today. The Bikol region has not been spared from the crimes and violations. While the Arroyo government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines prides itself as the protector of the people it, at the same time prides itself as a virtual partner of US in the war on terror.The accountability of the Arroyo government remains bleak and as elusive as its promise of economic development amidst the global crisis.

We doubt the sincerity and true intent of the “humanitarian missions” under Balikatan 2009 which will involve around 6,000 US troops and 2,500 Filipino soldiers. We see this as a front to their war exercises and intent to spy on the vast expanse of Bikol’s resources.

We therefore enjoin all patriotic Bikolanos and Filipinos to heed the call of exposing and opposing the Balikatan in Bikol. Let us join ranks in protecting our fellow Bikolanos, and our land Bikol.

We likewise call on individuals and organizations to support and participate in the multi-sectoral and multi-cultural campaigns and activities of the Bikolano Alliance for Nationalism against Balikatan.

Let us collectively work for true peace and justice taking the prime interests of the majority of our people who are poor and exploited!

Let us strongly uphold our dignity as a people, and as a country!

Let us strongly uphold our right to self-determination and national sovereignty!

STOP BALIKATAN in Bikol!
PULL OUT all US troops in the Philippines. NOW!
SCRAP the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement!

SUMABA KA launched Provincial Formation on February 4

February 4, 2009
News Release
SUMABA KA! (Speak Out!)

The delegates to the first assembly of SUMABA KA have successfully launched its provincial formation today. Elected as officers are: Reynaldo Mendoza, Chairman; Eduardo Ferreras, Vice-Chairman; Pilar Gabito, General Secretary; Genoveva Capsa, Deputy GenSec. Appointed as Treasurer and Auditor are Maria Luisa Hababag and Karapatan, respectively. Three spokespersons were elected during the Convenors Meeting of January 17. They are Reverend Lemuel Igdanes, Provincial Spokesperson; Brother Lito Bonifacio, Spokesperson for the Ist District of Sorsogon; and Mr. Eduardo Ferreras, Spokesperson for the 2nd District of Sorsogon.

Thirty three (33) delegates attended the launching activity. They came from the various sectors and institutions that matter in the Sorsogon body politic, namely, the Church, academe, government employees, legal and other professions, basic sectors (peasants, fisherfolks, women, youth and students) and patriotic individuals and organizations. They will represent the people of Sorsogon in the latter’s struggle to free Sorsogon from the uninvited, unwanted and sinister presence of US troops in the province under the RP-US Balikatan war exercises.

The assembly affirmed and reiterated the views and stand of the convenors of SUMABA KA in the Convenors Meeting of January 17, to wit:

Balikatan violates Philippine sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity;

The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), under which the Balikatan operates, subsumes the authority of the local government officials of Sorsogon;

Balikatan will gravely disrupt the economic activities of the people in the areas where it will be held, thus, jeopardizing the livelihood of the people, especially the farmers and fisherfolks, in these areas;

Balikatan will expose the people of Sorsogon to more serious human rights violations and exacerbate the very fragile peace and order situation in the province;

Balikatan will contribute to the significant growth of prostitution and its consequences, like sexually-transmitted diseases (STD’s), fatherless children and broken homes;

Balikatan will abet the proliferation of drugs, and drug abuse, and the crimes attendant to it; and,

It will promote moral decay and social decadence in the province.

The so-called “humanitarian missions” that will be conducted by the US troops can never hide the true color and essence of Balikatan which are military intervention and external aggression. Military intervention and wars of aggression are the hallmarks of US global policy in the 21st century as exemplified by the experiences of the people of Basilan and Sulu, and the peoples of Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Humanitarian Missions” is merely one of the three components of the Balikatan war exercises, with the other two being Combat Operations and Intelligence Operations.

Mga Sorsoganon, Magkasararo asin SUMABA KA kontra sa Balikatan!

BAN BALIKATAN in Bicol!

BIKOLANO URAGON! BALIKATAN PALAYASON!

NO TO RP-US BALIKATAN WAR EXERCISES!

NO TO US MILITARY INTERVENTION AND WAR OF AGGRESSION!

Mass Mobilizations Against Balikatan All Over Bicol Today

In Albay, 5,000 people expressed their resounding opposition of the conduct of Balikatan 2009 in Bicol and thundered the streets to shout: STOP BALIKATAN! They also told the US Troops to stay out of Albay Province.

Basic sectors protest Balikatan in Albay

In Sorsogon, 7,000 people stormed into the streets shouting NO TO BALIKATAN and encouraging more Sorsoganon folks to speak out against Balikatan and defend our sovereignty.

Sorsoganons by the thousands rally against Balikatan

In Masbate, 8,000 people congested the narrow streets in order to indicate their strong opposition of Balikatan 2009 and no to indignity, intervention, human rights violations, US terrorism and poverty.

In Camarines Sur, 2,000 people flooded the streets shouting out protests and pouring out their indignation of foreign intervention and violations to the Constitution.

Thousands of people went out and marched against Balikatan in Naga City, Camarines Sur

In Camarines Norte, a substantial number of people also participated in an Outdoor Activity to protest against Balikatan.

All over Bicol today, January 22, 2009, more than 22,000 Bicolano nationalists headed by BAN Balikatan expressed their opposition to US Intervention and terrorism. Bicolanos showed that they will never rest until the US troops have totally been driven out of our country, VFA/MLSA have totally been scrapped, genuine peace has been achieved and our country has undergone significant and lasting political and economic change.

Drive Out US Troops and Balikatan! - Tindog Atenista

Statement
Tindog Atenista
Reference: Gerard Edgar O. Surtida, Spokesperson

STOP BALIKATAN 2009! NO MORE TO FOREIGN INTERVENTION!

Tindog Atenista, an alliance of individuals and organizations in Ateneo de Naga University, condemns the implementation of the Balikatan 2009 and its suspicious objectives through “humanitarian missions”.

The news has erupted and was confirmed by the released statements from the advance party movements of the RP-US Balikatan that since October last year, they have ensured that several areas in the Bicol region will be the primary locations for the implementation of the 25th Balikatan Exercies 2009.

The Chairman of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement Commission Edilberto Adan, other high-ranking officials, and the military spokesperson of the Solcom, 9th ID and 901st 1B also confirmed that there are 3-4 possible provinces in Bicol Region that will be affected.

JUNK THE MDT and VFA! The implementation of the Balikatan Exercises throughout the country came forth from the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) of 1951, which states that the Republic of the Philippines has entered into a “mutual understanding and agreement” with the United States of America in terms of military activities.

This continues to reflect the characteristics of the country being a dependent, neo-colonial outpost of the United States of America. Such characteristics were observed in US’s wars of aggression against Korea and Vietnam. From the MDT, Visiting Forces Agreement came to be. This This lengthened the direct and indirect interference and stay of US in Philippine soil, making the country open for foreign military activities.

Provisions in the VFA sets that US military forces need not to be inspected in entering and leaving the country, making us more prone to illegal activities such as illegal drugs, smuggled goods, exploitation of natural resources, nuclear weapons, etc. only US military forces are given the authority to check and inspect their own cargo and transport vehicle as stipulated in the provision.

Furthermore, a provision of tax exemption is given to these foreign elements, which is a big disadvantage to our economy’s part. Both MDT and VFA aimed to have a more developed and improved military tactics and technology but for more than 50 years of foreign intervention, no development was seen and our AFP still remains backward.

This is a grave offense against our sovereignty and a severe threat to our national security.

WE WANT GENUINE SOVEREIGNTY AND INTEGRITY! Balikatan 2009 with the objective of giving humanitarian actions to the Bikolanos is a farce. It is a farce that was proven in the past Balikatan exercises. Its unwanted effects were further supported by the 17 congressmen of Mindanao for its suspension.

What the people need is not more foreign activities and intervention happening in our country but a change and progress in economy, politics, and culture. What the people need is change and progress that is not tainted by the filth coming from foreign influences.

What we need is a government that is efficient and sufficient by itself and free from overseas interference. Provisions of MDT and VFA directly contradict our right to sovereignty and integrity. Such provisions disrespects and puts into utter disregard our laws of the land.

It is a big conspiracy of lies and deceptions Balikatan will bring more human rights violations as seen in the “Nicole Case”, more environmental degradation, more exploitation of our natural and human resources, and more chaos within the region. This is unacceptable.

WE NEED WHAT IS NECESSARY! The very fact that this is a humanitarian mission is also as true as the thought that Balikatan 2009 is a free helping hand. The Philippines being the host country for this program will the source of finance for this activity. What we need right now is not the “helping hands” of foreign elements.

Needless to say, we do not need them at all in these times of crisis and hardships. We need proper and fair subsidies in education, agriculture, development and improvement of facilities and services, and health.

We do not need hypocrites to walk among the oppressed and suppressed. We do not need more funding for the military activities for this will not save us from our churning stomachs and burnt down lungs.

What we need is change and progression without this aliens interfering in everything that we do. Drive them out now!

We therefore call upon the youth sector and the other sectors of Bicol region to stand up and drive out the Balikatan 2009.

Also, we call upon the people and other public officials to junk the MDT and VFA for it is the basis why such foreign intervention continues to exist in our country.

YOUTH STOP BALIKATAN!
DEFEND OUR SOVEREIGNTY & INTEGRITY!
DRIVE THEM OUT NOW!

SUMABA Convenors' Meeting Video

CLICK HERE and watch the video of Prof. Josephine Bisuna of BAN Balikatan discuss the Visiting Forces Agreement or VFA and the Joint US-RP Military Exercises, Balikatan.

Bicol militants challenge new US President Obama to Stop Balikatan!

News Release
January 20, 2009
References: Tessa Lopez, public information officer, BAYAN-Bikol
John Concepcion, spokesperson, KARAPATAN-Bikol

Bicol militants challenge new US President Obama to Stop Balikatan!
Sets massive rally against Balikatan on Jan. 22

Leaders of people’s organizations comprising the umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Bikol (BAYAN-Bikol) gathered in Legazpi City today to issue a challenge to US President-elect Barack Obama on the day of his inaguration to put a stop to the Balikatan exercises in the country, as well as to rescind the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

According to Tessa Lopez, public information officer of BAYAN-Bikol; “As the new president of the sole superpower in the world, we hope that Obama will make a clear foreign policy shift contrary to the war-mongering Bush regime.. In this light, our challenge to him is to stop the Balikatan exercises in the Philippines before it cause more damage to the lives of Filipinos,”

“To show the urgency and seriousness of our call we will lead a massive rally against the Balikatan this coming January 22. All provinces of the region will mobilize on this day and we expect at least 20,000 people to participate. This is a clear manifestation of the Bicolano people’s opposition against the exercises,” added Lopez.

Meanwhile John Concepcion, spokesperson of KARAPATAN-Bikol said, “If the Balikatan is not stopped we fear that the number of human rights violations will spike in the region. This is aside from the fact that the US troops are trampling on our country’s sovereignty and they are also endangering the lives of Bicolanos with their war games,”

“So we are enjoining more Oragons to come and participate in the rally so that early on we can register our opposition to the Balikatan and the VFA. Like Gen. Simeon Ola we must continuously oppose the presence of US troops in our country,” ended Concepcion. # # #

“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. # # #

"Balikatan 2009: A Disguised Psy-War Operation Targeting Bicolanos" - KARAPATAN - Bicol

This is a reaction to the PDI article last January 9, titled “RP-US ‘Balikatan’ goes to Bicol; no war games. The US Armed Forces as well as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are blatantly deceiving the public of the real purpose of Balikatan 09 to be held here in Bicol.

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 Bicolanos 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. To date since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took power in 2001, at least 71, 850 have been victims of human rights violations in Bicol, included are 166 victims of extra-judicial killings.

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. Both the US troops and the AFP do not respect anything or anybody. First, the US soldiers trampled 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 collective intellect of Bicolanos then they would have nothing but contempt for common folk, which will lead to more human rights violations.

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.


John Concepcion
Spokesperson
KARAPATAN-Bikol
664 Barangay 17, Legazpi City, Albay

Bicolanos of Sorsogon Against Balikatan

BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN - SORSOGON

Pahayag Sa Media
Enero 8, 2009

ANG BALIKATAN AY INSTRUMENTO NG
PANDAIGDIGANG TERORISMO NG US SA PILIPINAS

Nandito na sa Lalawigan ng Sorsogon ang BALIKATAN, isang magkasanib na ehersisyong militar ng armadong pwersa ng US at ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), sa ilalim ng Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) at Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA). Layunin diumano ng BALIKATAN na sanayin at paunlarin ang kakayahan ng AFP sa pagsugpo sa terorismo.

Isinagawa na ang BALIKATAN sa iba’t ibang panig ng Pilipinas: sa Gitnang Luzon, Basilan, Sulu, Zamboanga, at iba pang mga probinsya sa Gitna at Kanlurang Mindanao. Nag-iiwan ng malaking pinsala sa kalikasan, kapaligiran, at pamumuhay ng mamamayan ang BALIKATAN, huwag nang banggitin pa ang napakaraming malulubhang paglabag sa karapatang pantao ng mga mamamayang naninirahan sa mga lugar na pinagdausan nito. Taliwas ito sa ipinangakong pag-unlad ng mga komunidad sa sandaling ang BALIKATAN ay idaos sa mga ito..

Mariing tinututulan ng BAYAN-Sorsogon ang paglulunsad ng BALIKATAN dito sa ating lalawigan:

Una, ito ay labag sa soberanya at panteritoryong integridad ng Pilipinas. Ito ay labag din sa ating Saligang Batas na nagbabawal ng pagkakaroon ng dayuhang base militar at dayuhang tropang militar sa ating bayan;

Pangalawa, ito ay hindi para sa interes ng sambayanang Pilipino, kundi para sa mapandambong na pang-ekonomiyang interes at disenyo ng imperyalistang US sa Pilipinas;

Pangatlo, ito ay mas lalong magpapalubha sa sitwasyon ng insurhensya sa ating lalawigan. Napakalaking banta sa kapayapaan ng lalawigan ang presensya ng mga tropang Amerikano dito;

Pang-apat, katulad ng nangyari sa Basilan at Sulu, ang BALIKATAN dito sa atin ay maaaring humantong sa pagkalulubhang paglabag sa karapatang pantao ng mga sibilyan tulad ng walang pakundangang pamamaril, panununog ng bahay, sapilitang pagpapalikas, paninira ng mga ari-arian at komunidad, pamamaslang, pananakit at marami pang iba;

Panglima, ito ay magiging dahilan ng paglaganap ng prostitusyon at pagkalat ng mga nakahahawang sakit na tulad ng AIDS, herpes, syphilis at gonorrhea, at paglaganap din ng mga droga at kriminalidad at iba pang gawaing anti-sosyal sa lalawigan; at,

Panghuli, ipinaiilalim nito ang mga lokal na pamahalaan sa sarili nitong programa sa mga lugar na pinaglulunsaran nito. Halimbawa ay ang naganap na insidente sa pagdating ng mga sundalo na magkokondukta ng inspeksyon sa Juban at Irosin na siyang site ng BALIKATAN nitong Enero 7. Isang malaking breach of protocol na ang mga tropang Amerikano ang puntahan ni Gob. Sally A. Lee sa Juban sa halip na ang mga ito ang magpunta sa luklukan ng pamahalaang panlalawigan sa Kabisera ng Sorsogon upang magbigay galang sa pinuno ng lalawigan.

Walang ganansya ang mamamayan ng Sorsogon sa BALIKATAN. Ito ay nakadisenyo sa gera at panghihimasok na hindi maaaring pagtakpan ng mga humanitarian, medical at dental missions at mga construction at infrastructure projects. Nagmamaskara lamang ang imperyalismong US sa likod ng mga proyektong ito. Ang tunay na mukha at intensyon ng US ay makikita sa gerang agresyon nito sa Iraq at Afghanistan at panghihimasok sa mga bayang lumalaban sa imperyalistang pandarambong.

Huwag tayong magpapalinlang. Hindi ang mga kilusan sa pambansang pagpapalaya, mga pambansang demokratikong organisasyon, at mga mamamayang lumalaban sa US ang mga terorista. Ang US ang NUMERO UNONG TERORISTA sa buong daigdig.