Madrigal asks US to stop military aid to RP

by Jerry E. Esplanada (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100224-255200/Madrigal-asks-US-to-stop-military-aid-to-RP

MANILA, Philippines -- Independent presidential bet and Senator Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal has called for an immediate stop to US military aid to the Philippines, in view of the questionable arrest and detention of 43 health workers suspected of being communist insurgents.

Madrigal expressed hope, on Wednesday, that the Obama administration would “see it fit to withhold Washington's military assistance until human rights abuses, such as the case of the ‘Morong 43,’ are fully resolved.”

Extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, illegal arrests and politically motivated prosecution of activists have become basic features of the Arroyo administration, noted Madrigal. According to the independent presidential candidate, “US assistance should not be used as an instrument to further violate human rights.

In 2009, the US Congress withheld $2 million in military aid from the Philippines reportedly due to human rights concerns.
The US House of Representatives had adopted Resolution 3081, which said the funds would not be released until several conditions were met by the Arroyo administration. These included taking effective steps in implementing the recommendations of United Nations Special Rapporteur Philip Alston on extrajudicial and summary executions and human rights violations in the country.

The US House resolution also stated that the AFP must not have a “policy of, and are not engaging in, acts of intimidation or violence against members of legal organizations who advocate for human rights.”

The White House has reportedly increased its military aid request for the Philippines from $94 million in 2009 to over $118.5 million this year.

US military financing to the country, which contributes to the AFP's modernization efforts, is the 12th largest in the world. Washington is Manila's only mutual defense treaty partner and is its largest source of foreign military financing.

The US government has allocated a total of $667 million in foreign aid to Manila, which Philippine Ambassador to the US Willy Gaa said was a substantial increase from previous years and a “reflection of the appreciation and value” President Barack Obama gives to strategic Philippines-US partnership.

The total budget proposed for the Philippines included the annually determined US development and security assistance, funds for the Filipino Veterans Equity Fund, and an allocation for the Philippine Compact with the Millenium Challenge Corporation.

On Wednesday, Madrigal pointed out that “since (President Macapagal-Arroyo) assumed the presidency in 2001, there have been more than a thousand extrajudicial killings and countless innocent people arrested without warrants.” “Ironically, even under the martial regime (of the late President Ferdinand Marcos) arrest warrants were being issued,” she said.

According to Madrigal , “this only shows Mrs. Arroyo's total disregard for human rights.” The senator asserted “the next administration should have the moral responsibility to hold Mrs. Arroyo and her cabal of dark forces in the Armed Forces of the Philippines liable for these deaths and warrantless arrests.”

“This is a challenge I pose to my fellow presidential candidates..The next president should see to it that the Army is the protector of the people and not their tormentor,” Madrigal said. Along with human rights and other militant groups, she has taken up the cudgels for the 43 health workers whom she called “victims of illegal arrests, detention, torture and other human rights abuses by the AFP.” “It's martial all over again,” according to Madrigal.

On Tuesday, Madrigal cried foul over the awarding of Bronze Cross Medals to military officers involved in the controversial arrest and detention of the “Morong 43.” She called it an “insult" to the health workers and an act of arrogance by the AFP.

"This is what happens when the military considers itself above civilian jurisdiction and even our courts of law.”