Why Bayan Muna rejects increased US presence

MANILA - Party-list group Bayan Muna is opposing talks between Philippine officials and the US military for increased presence of US soldiers in the country. Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares said it is unconstitutional to allow foreign troops in the country without a treaty. "The Constitution is very clear: no foreign troops, bases or facilities shall be allowed entry into the Philippines absent a treaty. In the first place, we are even questioning the constitutionality of the Visiting Forces Agreement because it is not a treaty. How much more when they are going to, they call it rotational presence but in reality this is no longer visiting beyond the VFA and this is permanent presence na. We think it violates the Constitution in that respect," he told ANC. Colmenares said the presence of US forces in the country could become a magnet for attacks from enemies of the United States. The lawmaker said the Philippines needs to assert itself against China, which is claiming parts of the Philippine territory in the South China Sea. But Colmenares said allowing US troops in the country is not the solution. "We cannot replace one bully with another bully. All countries that asked help from the United States probably regretted it in the long run," he said, citing the experience of US intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also said he does not expect negotiations to take place but more of impositions from the US. ANC The Bureau, August 12, 2013