Posted to the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-New Patriotic Alliance) Website (Nov 9): US forces also liable for toxic waste dump in Subic
Press Statement
November 9, 2012
Renato M. Reyes, Jr, BAYAN secretary general
Recent reports that toxic wastes from US warships were being dumped in Subic again underscores the dangers brought by the prolonged presence of US troops and ships in the Philippines. These dangers now increase with the Obama government’s plan to rebalance most of its military assets towards Asia. It is not just the private military contractor Glenn Marine Defense which should be held liable. It is the US government who is ultimately liable since the wastes are brought to our country by US warships.
Subic is virtually a US naval outpost now as more and more US subs and warships dock at the former base. More US warships mean more wastes. Those responsible for the waste dump must clean up the mess and pay damages to the Filipino people.The use of private military contractors like Glenn Defense Marine Philippines is merely a ploy for the US government to escape any accountability. The US government has failed to clean up its toxic wastes when it still operated US bases in our country. Now, under the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement, the US is again making use of our ports and bringing in hazardous toxic wastes, and escaping any liability for its actions. Under the VFA, the Philippine government cannot even inspect US warships that bring hazardous materials in our territory.
The long term (solution) to these toxic wastes is to stop US military exercises and end US military presence in the country. The private military contractor should eventually be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. While the probe is ongoing, any scheduled Balikatan exercises, and any scheduled port call by US warships and submarines, should be suspended immediately. The Aquino government must stop playing the role of US stooge and assert our national interest in this matter.
http://www.bayan.ph/site/2012/11/us-forces-also-liable-for-toxic-waste-dump-in-subic/
BAYAN is an CPP-linked umbrella front organization. Once again the "toxic waste" issue is in the news. Haven't seen toxic waste propaganda themes in the Philippine media for months. In the past, leftist and CPP fronts such as the Nuclear Free Philippines Coalition, The People's Task Force for Bases Clean Up, and Kalikasan conducted anti-U.S./U.S. military propaganda campaigns exploiting the issue of alleged toxic waste left behind following the U.S. withdrawal from its bases in the Philippines in 1992.
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