Fisherfolk wants Defense Chief Lorenzana to resign
Manila, Philippines – The activist fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA-Pilipinas) demands the immediate resignation of Department of Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana for he is the United States (U.S.) front man actor to maintain the latter’s hegemony and control over our sovereignty.
The fisherfolk group said Lorenzana has finally convinced President Rodrigo Duterte to allow the construction of U.S. military facilities in our land under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
“The defense Chief has finally twisted the President’s arm! Lorenzana’s lust to maintain the U.S. military presence and aid in the country has finally pays off after some begging,”
“We are dismayed over President’ Duterte’s sudden change of mind regarding the construction of military bases and facilities in the country. We have been supporting his anti-U.S. pronouncements before but it seems that he has been easily swayed by his Defense Chief,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA Chairperson said in a statement.
PAMALAKAYA said allowing the return of U.S. bases in the country is a complete surrender of our sovereignty to our long-time colonizer.
Lorenzana also incites fear that China would be reclaiming the disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea particularly in Panatag Shoal.
“China has been aggressive ever since, don’t get us wrong. But we know that Lorenzana is only riding over the issue to justify and maintain the presence of his American masters in the country. We will never allow the United States to meddle again in the country’s external affairs because we all know that this will only aggravate our dispute with China instead of resolving it on our own through peaceful and diplomatic talks,”
“Defense Chief Lorenzana must immediately quit his post because he is no good to our country and moreover, to the Filipino people who desire for genuine independence and peace. We also urge President Duterte to revoke his decision to allow the installation of U.S. military facilities in our land and abrogate the existing agreements and pacts like EDCA and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) that legalize its presence in the archipelago,” Hicap ended. ###
