Members of League of Filipino Students (LFS) and Anakbayan marched to the U.S. Embassy on Tuesday, February 17 to denounce the alleged involvement of the U.S. in the botched police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
“The U.S. has gravely violated our sovereignty with impunity,” said Charisse Bañez, National President of LFS.
She pointed out that the U.S. drones used in the operation was a clear breach of Philippine airspace.
Bañez cited a report from the Philippine Daily Inquirer that an American, Allan Konz, was in command of the police operation.
”It is enraging that the U.S. can engineer and direct operations in our country in any manner they want. Who is Allan Konz? How can the U.S. choose which armed unit to deploy, dictate every part of the operation, alter the plans based on their whims, and ultimately, delay the action of the President of our own country,” Bañez asked.
“There will be only justice for the victims of the Mamasapano operation if US troops were kicked out of the country and their bases were dismantled. This cannot be done, according to the youth leader, so long as the ‘ever-loyal’ President Aquino is in power,” said Bañez.
A mock U.S. flag was burned in front of the U.S. Embassy in Manila.
Congressional investigations suspended
Youth groups also decried sudden suspension of hearings in both houses of Congress.
“The Senators and Congressmen decided to suspend the hearings when it is almost time for the Filipino people to know the responsibility and participation of the Philippine President and of the US in Operation Wolverine or Exodus. They are trying to hide the truth from us. They are trying to make us forget,” said Anakbayan Metro Manila Chair Christian Lloyd Magsoy.
Magsoy also hit President Aquino’s “docility to US terrorism in the world.”
“More than 70 Filipinos died and were used as pawns for US war on terror. The youth demand truth and accountability,” said Magsoy.
In a statement, Kabataan Partylist representative Terry Ridon assailed the temporary suspension of the Congressional inquiry on the botched police operation.
“The abrupt suspension comes at a time when a most pressing issue needs to be tackled. I am referring of course to the alleged involvement of the US government in the whole Mamasapano affair – from planning, financing, to actual execution.”
The House of Representatives announced the suspension of its investigation into the Mamasapano incident a day before its second scheduled hearing.
Ridon accuses Malacanang to be behind the suspension of hearings.
“We have more than enough reason to believe that. It’s the classic Palace trick: when all things fail, exert all effort to whitewash and salvage the President’s reputation,” said Ridon.
