Press Release
April 23, 2009

SAYS VFA SOCIAL COST 'TOO HIGHT'
CHIZ LAMENTS SMITH ACQUITAL

The acquittal of US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith of the charge of rape is unfortunate and only reinforces our position that the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement carries too high a social cost and should be immediately abrogated.

We commiserate with the family of 'Nicole' on this unfortunate development and continue to pray that she overcomes the trials and challenges of starting a new life.

At the same time, we believe this is as good a time as any to act decisively and finally abrogate the VFA. The time for debate and discussion is over; how many Nicoles must there be for us to realize that sovereignty should be absolute and non-negotiable? The issue of military security, which has long been the rationale for the VFA, takes second precedence to the more important issues of social welfare, the Filipina's rights, and our national sovereignty.

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