NEWS RELEASE
Reference: Lana Linaban, Deputy Secretary General (09287922342,09158791165)
GABRIELA Public Information Department (3712302)

On its 7th year GABRIELA `GREETS' VFA: JUSTICE FOR `NICOLE!' JUNK VFA!

(May 26, 2006)

"It is ironic that the VFA will mark its seventh anniversary tomorrow while the Subic rape trial is ongoing. This irony sums up seven years of VFA for the Filipino people: all violence and abuse. Truly, there is nothing left to do but abrogate this atrocious agreement," thus said Lana Linaban, Deputy Secretary General of GABRIELA, during GABRIELA's picket-rally today in front of the US Embassy and Makati City RTC in time for the Pre-Trial of the Subic rape case.

Linaban indicated that the Subic rape case only suggests what the Filipinos have endured under the VFA. "The rape of Nicole is the rape of our nation's dignity. Thus, the seventh anniversary of the VFA can never be a cause for celebration because those years were spent raping the Philippines by trampling on our sovereignty."

"We have had enough of VFA. Seven years of raping our women, mauling incidents, shooting children, US military prostitution and other forms of violence is more than enough for the Filipino people. They have suffered enough in the hands of these US soldiers for them to be blinded by such agreement."

According to Linaban, more women, together with other Filipinos, are joining the public clamor to junk the VFA. "Through Nicole, women have realized just how dangerous it is for them if VFA is allowed to continue."

"Thus, it is a further insult to the Filipino people to implement another `counter-terror pact'," Linaban added, commenting on the US- RP pact that will set so called up a Security Engagement Board to, according to US and Philippine officials, combat terrorism, transnational crime, maritime safety and security, natural and man- made disasters and pandemic outbreaks.

But Linaban countered, "The two governments used to disguise the VFA as something just as noble. Now, through the Subic rape case and other crimes committed by US soldiers, the real picture has been exposed to the Filipino people and to the rest of the world. The Filipino people will not be fooled again."

"Seven year is more than enough. From this day on, women will strengthen its resolve to uphold their dignity and assert the Philippines' sovereignty. We are done with VFA, an agreement we never wanted in the first place. Ms Arroyo and her cohorts in Malacaņang can take with them the VFA and any other agreement they are planning to exercise at the expense of the people," Linaban concluded. ###