Group urges Filipinos to continue fight for sovereignty

MANILA, Philippines - Militant group Bayan on Friday called on the Filipino people to continue to fight for the strengthening of the  country's sovereignty.

The group made the call as the country commemorates today the 149th birth anniversary of Filipino revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio.

"As Filipinos, it is our patriotic duty to continue Bonifacio’s...fight for genuine freedom and democracy. Bonifacio is as relevant today as the time he led the Philippine revolution of 1896," Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said.

Bayan joined workers, farmers and youth protesters in a march to the US Embassy in Manila and to Mendiola Bridge.

The protest came two days after the Philippine government announced that the country registered a 7.1 percent GDP (gross domestic product) growth in the third quarter of 2012.

"Behind the glossy statistics is the sad reality that our country does not enjoy economic sovereignty. Any so-called growth is subject to external factors such as OFW remittances. It’s big business, the foreign investors who are reaping profits, while the people are given more of the same. No wonder despite the so-called growth, unemployment, hunger and poverty remain high,” Reyes said.

"The Aquino government can celebrate all it wants but it will just look silly. Most people do not really feel the so-called growth," he added.

Reyes said the US is the biggest violator of the country’s sovereignty today.

"While we are definitely against any incursions and violation of our sovereignty committed by China, it is the US which is by far the biggest and most notorious violator of Philippine sovereignty. The US has transformed our country into one big military outpost and dumping ground of toxic wastes. We are hosting foreign troops and ships on a permanent and regular basis, in contravention of the Philippine constitution," Reyes said.

"We are resolutely opposed to any action by China which would undermine our sovereignty. However, let us always remember that the US has long been violating our sovereignty through the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Defense Treaty. The US troops are already based here, inside the Philippines," he added. - Dennis Carcamo