Workers condemn Clinton, Mutual Defense Treaty

“The six-decade old Mutual Defense Treaty is nothing but six decades of US military and political supremacy over the Philippines.”

This was the statement of labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno as it slammed the US-RP Mutual Defense Treaty, which has recently marked its 60th anniversary, and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who is in a visit to Manila to belatedly celebrate the event.

The Mutual Defense Treaty is an agreement between the government of the Philippines and the United States which declares their commitment to defend each other against armed attacks.

“This treaty is based on the lie that the US is a real friend of the Philippines. It is the US, not the Philippines, which benefits the most from it. The Aquino government, which is so proud of welcoming Clinton, is far from scrapping this treaty and ending US supremacy over the country,” said Lito Ustarez, KMU vice-chairperson.

“The MDT is not an agreement of friendship and support but an agreement to justify armed US armed intervention so it can protect its economic and political interests in the country and region. It has justified the Philippines’ involvement in the wars launched by the US for its imperialist interests,” he added.

KMU said the Aquino government’s celebration of the MDT’s anniversary with Clinton shows that the government has not carried out genuine change in the country’s foreign relations and basic policies.

“Clinton’s visit in the country is only a symbol of the Aquino government’s commitment to the US in continuing and strengthening US hold over the country. This has meant non-stop violations of our country’s sovereignty,” said Ustarez.

“We urge the Filipino workers and people to be critical of and fight US domination of our country. It is responsible not only for the dragging of the country in US-sponsored wars but for the country’s poverty,” he said. Lito Ustarez, KMU Vice Chairperson