R&R of more than 5000 US Troops Monthly—Large-scale Commodification of Filipinas

The World March of Women-Pilipinas is alarmed over the increasing number of warships, planes and troops visiting the country as this would mean, not only making the Philippines a fair target of United States’ enemies, but also large-scale pimping of women for the visiting soldiers’ rest and recreation.

Last month, at least eight US military vessels docked in different ports of the country, bringing in around 5,000 officers and men, consolidating separate accounts. The vessels included, among others, a nuclear-powered submarine (USS Ohio), a guided missile destroyer (USS Decatur) and a guided missile frigate (USS Reuben James). One of the objectives of these port visits as mentioned in the statements of the US military is to give their soldiers an opportunity for rest and recreation (R&R).

Last months’ big number of “visiting” troops was not an exception. This April, the 29th Balikatan Exercises takes place and this will involve 8,000 soldiers, the big majority of which from the USAF. As early as March 21 and 22, two vessels from the Military Sealift Command offloaded 270 Marine Corps tactical vehicles and amphibious assault vehicles that will be used for this Balikatan. Cooperation Afloat and Readiness (CARAT) will take place also this summer.

Last year, observers reported a marked increase in the number of vessels and troops entering the country. From around 50−55 in the past years, more than seventy military vessels docked and sailed in Philippine territory in 2012.

And R&R has always been a part of these visits and exercises.

Women’s groups in Zambales, Pampanga and Cebu have reported that women from bars are being brought to hotels or inside the ports to cater to “visiting troops”. This counters the claim of the US that they are implementing their policy against sex-buying.

Senator Francis Pangilinan delivered a speech in 2009 about women being delivered to US soldiers nightly during a Balikatan exercise in Bicol. Former Lt. Nancy Gadian also mentioned in her statement in 2009 US forces in the Philippines prostitute Filipinas.

It is very lamentable that the Aquino government has turned a blind eye on the negative impact of the increasing US presence in the Philippines. It has welcomed every Philippine part of the US design for a Pacific pivot. It has never brought up the unresolved issues of support for the abandoned Filipino Amer-asians, clean-up of toxic wastes in Subic and Clark and compensation for victims of hazardous wastes.

It has been mouthing the same line being used by the US government that these US troops and military planes and vessels are here to help the Philippines develop the AFP into one that is truly capable of defending the country from external threats through joint military exercises. It is also mouthing praises for the token humanitarian actions like relief work after typhoons or repair of classrooms by US troops even when it is aware that these activities are but part of the US’ so-called “soft power”.

Mr. President, the World March of Women-Pilipinas and other organizations of Filipina feminists will not stop until you have ended the military agreements that have made possible this growing and dangerous militarism in the country. We will ask help from women around the world so that we could change this situation whereby miltary agreements have become a large pimping mechanism to satisfy the US military’s way of easing their soldiers’ boredom.

Signatories:
Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)
Bagong Kamalayan Survivors Collective
BATIS AWARE
BUKLOD Center
Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA)
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women – Asia Pacific (CATW-AP)
LILAK (Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Rights)
Pagkakaisa ng Kababaihan para sa Kalayaan (KAISA KA)
Pambansang Koalisyon ng mga Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK)
Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM)
SARILAYA
Transform Asia
WomanHealth Philippines

Statement April 5, 2013

Contact Person: Jean Enriquez # 09153178018

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