Gordon cautions anti-VFA sentiment
Senator Richard Gordon on Saturday cautioned groups calling for the abolition of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States, following the reported rape of a Filipina by six US Marines in Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales.
"[Scrapping the treaty] won't do our country any good. What will that do to our Armed Forces in terms of training?" Gordon told ANC. He added: "Hindi tayo gumagawa ng decision based on emotion. This destroys the focus of what is otherwise a good agreement (We don't make decisions based on emotion)."
The senator, former head of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), however, said he was not belittling the case involving the alleged rape of the 22-year old victim by the American servicemen who took part in the counterterrorism exercises in the former US naval base. "Is it (alleged rape) sexual terorism? Of course it is. This is a very serious offense. But that is why we have an agreement, to address this case when it happens," he said.
The senator said that whatever decision the government would make from the outcome of the case, the priority should be national interest. "I'm not saying we should keep the Americans here. All I'm saying is whatever we do as a nation, we must do so because of our national interest."
He said further: "You cannot destroy a whole set of relationships that is not only based on defense but on the fact that you have three million Filipinos in America right now that send dollars to our country to their relatives, that consider their home still the Philippines."
'Easy on the pedal'
Gordon also criticized some legislators for proposing a review of all security arrangements entered into by the country with the US in the wake of the rape case.
Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos said that most of the security and defense agreements where the VFA was based were already "antiquated." She said that security deals like the VFA and the Mutual Defense Treaty should be updated in accordance to the challenges posed by modern times.
Gordon said such concerns should have been taken into consideration when the VFA was forged. "Bakit ngayon lang sasabihing i-review ito ulit? Perhaps we should review our courts, the prosecutorial arm of the government (Why ask to review it only now?)," he said.
Malacañan earlier said the incident will be investigated in accordance with Philippine laws and the VFA, adding that full assistance will be accorded to the rape victim. President Arroyo, through Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, has called for a thorough investigation of the case to ensure that justice is served.
Reports said that the US government, through its embassy in Manila, is cooperating fully with Philippine authorities conducting the investigation. The alleged victim had been visiting a karaoke bar on November 1 when she met the Americans, who invited her to go with them in a rented van.
A few hours later, witnesses said they saw the woman being dumped unconscious from a van on a road, the SBMA said. Chairman Feliciano Salonga of the SBMA confirmed that soldiers Keith Silkwood, Daniel Smith, Albert Lara, Dominic Duplantis, Corey Barris, and Chad Capent, were identified by the driver of the van.
The suspects were charged with rape before the Olongapo City Prosecutor's Office on Thursday.
"[Scrapping the treaty] won't do our country any good. What will that do to our Armed Forces in terms of training?" Gordon told ANC. He added: "Hindi tayo gumagawa ng decision based on emotion. This destroys the focus of what is otherwise a good agreement (We don't make decisions based on emotion)."
The senator, former head of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), however, said he was not belittling the case involving the alleged rape of the 22-year old victim by the American servicemen who took part in the counterterrorism exercises in the former US naval base. "Is it (alleged rape) sexual terorism? Of course it is. This is a very serious offense. But that is why we have an agreement, to address this case when it happens," he said.
The senator said that whatever decision the government would make from the outcome of the case, the priority should be national interest. "I'm not saying we should keep the Americans here. All I'm saying is whatever we do as a nation, we must do so because of our national interest."
He said further: "You cannot destroy a whole set of relationships that is not only based on defense but on the fact that you have three million Filipinos in America right now that send dollars to our country to their relatives, that consider their home still the Philippines."
'Easy on the pedal'
Gordon also criticized some legislators for proposing a review of all security arrangements entered into by the country with the US in the wake of the rape case.
Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos said that most of the security and defense agreements where the VFA was based were already "antiquated." She said that security deals like the VFA and the Mutual Defense Treaty should be updated in accordance to the challenges posed by modern times.
Gordon said such concerns should have been taken into consideration when the VFA was forged. "Bakit ngayon lang sasabihing i-review ito ulit? Perhaps we should review our courts, the prosecutorial arm of the government (Why ask to review it only now?)," he said.
Malacañan earlier said the incident will be investigated in accordance with Philippine laws and the VFA, adding that full assistance will be accorded to the rape victim. President Arroyo, through Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, has called for a thorough investigation of the case to ensure that justice is served.
Reports said that the US government, through its embassy in Manila, is cooperating fully with Philippine authorities conducting the investigation. The alleged victim had been visiting a karaoke bar on November 1 when she met the Americans, who invited her to go with them in a rented van.
A few hours later, witnesses said they saw the woman being dumped unconscious from a van on a road, the SBMA said. Chairman Feliciano Salonga of the SBMA confirmed that soldiers Keith Silkwood, Daniel Smith, Albert Lara, Dominic Duplantis, Corey Barris, and Chad Capent, were identified by the driver of the van.
The suspects were charged with rape before the Olongapo City Prosecutor's Office on Thursday.
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