Militants: Probe US presence in Batanes

The United States was accused yesterday of transforming the Philippines into an "extension and part of its military base."

Following the reported landing of a US military aircraft in Basco airport in Batanes, the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said the US has violated the country’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

Ron Hubbard, spokesman for Bayan-NCR, said in a statement yesterday the government has kept the matter away from the Filipino public.

"Even without the formal signing and endorsement of the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement (MLSA), the US had been transforming the Philippine archipelago, through its unilateral actions and infringement, as the extension and part of their military base," read the statement.

"Are we still wondering and puzzled why the international community sees Filipino folks as garbage, dormant and pariah in this part of the globe? This scenario only reflects the disrespect of our government on our national patrimony and sovereignty, much less to protect and defend the security of our people against inhuman treatment like in Sabah."

Hubbard said Bayan has also urged Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople to lodge a diplomatic protest to the US in light of its continued violation of Philippine territory.

"Likewise, we are demanding and insisting the said puppet offices of DFA and the Palace to clarify the issue regarding Sen. Manuel Villar’s allegation on ‘the policy of fear’ in dealing with foreign relations prevalent in the DFA," read the statement.

Meanwhile, the Public Interest Law Center (PILC) called yesterday for the rejection of anti-terrorism bills that are now pending in Congress.

Lawyer Edro Olalia of PILC said the bills seek to increase the state’s power to intercept all communications, including text messages; spy on terrorist suspects; look into and freeze bank accounts; extend to three days the detention of suspects arrested without a warrant; and undermine the rights of accused against double jeopardy.

One of the bills would also restore Republic Act 1700, the Anti-Subversion Law, which Congress repealed in 1992, and classify the Communist Party of the Philippines as a "criminal organization," he added.