Coalition ‘Partially Lauds’ SC Ruling; Reiterates Call for Probe on ‘Unconstitutional’ US Basing

The Stop the War Coalition-Philippines, a broad network of over 80 civil society organizations, today expressed its “partial approval” at the Supreme Court’s decision to order the transfer of convicted rapist US soldier Daniel Smith to Philippine authorities even as it continued to challenge the constitutionality of the Visiting Forces Agreement.

“This is a partial victory for all those who’ve been fighting for justice for Nicole and for all those who’ve been fighting for the sovereignty of the Philippines,” said Atty Corazon Fabros, one of the coalition’s spokespersons.

“However it is only partial because the Visiting Forces Agreement should have been declared unconstitutional,” Fabros added, while pointing out that the transfer of custody could prompt the United States to revisit the agreement.

“What the US wants through the VFA is to put its soldiers above the law, beyond the reach of local authorities,” Fabros explained. “By preventing this, the Supreme Court has struck at the heart of the VFA’s ability to give immunity to US troops.”

Meanwhile, the Stop the War Coalition reiterated its demand for an impartial investigation into what it calls the “obvious and undeniable” US basing in the southern Philippines.

“The existence of then US Special Forces’ Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines base in Zamboanga City can no longer be denied; it is there for everyone to see,” says Fabros. “Its existence is an affront to the Constitution and it is high time the government – and the Supreme Court – step in to stop this continuing attack on the rule of law.”

The Stop the War Coalition-Philippines claims there is “incontrovertible proof” that the US has effectively re-established US basing in the country since 2002.

“Unless this illegal basing is ended, there may be more Nicoles in the future,” Fabros warned.

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