BAGUIO CITY (February 13, 2025) -- Women’s group GABRIELA “raised eyebrows” over US military intervention in Mindanao following the crash of a US surveillance aircraft in Maguindanao that was conducting intelligence operations. "This incident exposes the truth behind US military presence in Mindanao – they are not here for 'humanitarian assistance' or 'joint exercises' but for actual combat and surveillance operations that violate our national sovereignty," Clarice Palce, GABRIELA Secretary-General said.
"Ang pagbagsak ng US surveillance aircraft sa Maguindanao ay patunay na aktibong nakikialam ang US military sa mga operasyon sa Mindanao. Hindi ito simpleng 'assistance' o 'exercises' kundi direktang military intervention," Palce claimed. This incident, GABRIELA believed, “reveals the broader implications of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which have effectively turned the Philippines into a large US military base.”
Palce further criticized the administration, which she said, “has completely surrendered our sovereignty to US hegemonic military interests. While our people suffer from poverty, low wages and rising prices, billions are spent accommodating US troops who conduct covert operations on our soil.” "Habang nagugutom ang mamamayan, bilyun-bilyong piso ang ginagastos para sa mga US military operations na lumalabag sa ating soberanya. This is a direct result of unequal military agreements like EDCA and VFA," added Palce.
"The Filipino people, especially the women and children of Mindanao who have long suffered from militarization, deserve to know the full extent of US military operations in our country. We demand an end to all forms of US military intervention and the assertion of our national sovereignty," Palce urged the government.
