Arroyo-Bush Meeting to ‘Strengthen Unequal Relations, US Intervention ‘

The reported trip of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the United States to meet with US president George W. Bush and presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama will mark another low point in RP-US relations, according to the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.

“It will be an extravaganza of terror and economic plunder, the two areas of concern of the US government. The meeting with Bush would reaffirm existing unequal ties between the Philippines and the US. Arroyo hopes for continuity in these relations which is why she is meeting with McCain and Obama,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.

“Arroyo’s status as a most favored Asian puppet of the US brings shame to the Filipino people, more than anything else,” he added.

The group said that there will not be meaningful benefits from the scheduled trip.

“In a time of severe crisis, we can’t see how the meeting with Bush can be beneficial to the Filipino people. The agenda is in favor of US geo-political and economic interests in the region as well as Arroyo’s desire of political survival. Bush and Arroyo are also known to have two of the worst human rights records for any president,” Reyes said.

Bayan said protests are already being readied in the states where Arroyo is expected to go. Protesters will include Filipinos in the US, as well as American human rights and migrants advocates.

“We are certain that Philippine support for the US war on terror will play an important role in the talks. The Philippines has given the US virtual basing rights through the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement. Arroyo seeks a continuation of these policies, whether it’s McCain or Obama who wins,” Reyes said.

Bayan says the meeting with Bush and the US Secretary of Defense will also be crucial in determining additional US military aid for the Philippines. The beleaguered Arroyo regime has been using US military and economic aid to prop its isolated regime.

“Despite human rights abuses and hundreds of unresolved case, the US government is intent on increasing military aid to the Philippines. This is being justified as part of supporting the war on terror. The military offensive in Mindanao against the kidnappers of a Philippine journalist is being used to justify additional military aid and troop presence,” Reyes said.

“How convenient for GMA that she has another incident in Mindanao with which she could justify US military aid and intervention,” the Bayan leader added.

Bayan also said that the funding from the Millenium Challenge Corporation will be vulnerable to corruption considering the Arroyo regime’s track record. The Philippine government is said to have qualified for $700 million grant.

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