DAVAO CITY – Militant workers marched to US embassy on Saturday to call for the immediate pull out of American troops as the country commemorates the third month of the Mamasapano incident.
Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno said the ongoing Balikatan war games between American and Filipino troops “is an insult to the Filipinos who died in Mamasapano.”
“Mamasapano showed us how the US, in cahoots with the Aquino government, violates Philippine sovereignty and puts the lives of Filipinos in danger. It also showed us how the US and Philippine governments will shield the US from any accountability for such crimes,” said Lito Ustarez, KMU vice-chairperson.
Ustarez said that the US’ accountability for the incident is clear, especially after a witness told the National Bureau of Investigation-National Prosecution Service that two American soldiers died during the police operation, and that US troops should be sent out of the country.
“The ongoing Balikatan war games show that the Aquino government is ignoring the lessons of Mamasapano and persists in its subservience to US geopolitical interests. The Aquino government continues to offer Filipino lives and Philippine sovereignty before the altar of US imperialist interests,” Ustarez added.
The group also called for the junking of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which they will highlight on their Labor Day protest.
