"Bush is coming to the Philippines, not for the sake of peace, but to solicit continuing support for his wars of aggression," Fortaleza said

By Rexcel Sorza, IOL Correspondent

ILOILO CITY, Philippines, September 14 (IslamOnline.net) – Thousands of Filipinos have vowed to greet U.S. President George W. Bush with protests when he embarks on a state visit to the country next month.

Partido ng Manggagawa (Labor Party) and Sanlakas (a nationwide multi-sectoral organization advocating the rights and welfare of the Filipino masses) said in a statement that "Bush, who initiated a unilateral war of aggression against Iraq and also the current chief executive officer of imperialist globalization, doesn't deserve a dignified welcome in the Philippines."

The protest action, the groups added, would start eight hours before the U.S. leader arrives on October 18 and would go on for a total of 16 hours.

The groups have been criticizing the U.S. for unilaterally waging war on Iraq without the support of the U.N. or the international community.

"Red banners will greet Bush on his way to Malacañang," Sanlakas president Wilson Fortaleza said Saturday, September 13.

"Bush is coming to the Philippines, not for the sake of peace, but to solicit continuing support for his wars of aggression, and to the [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation] meeting in Bangkok for the sake of U.S. corporations."

Also Saturday, the Peasant Movement of the Philippines said thousands of peasants and workers would stage a caravan against poverty and U.S. aggression during Bush's visit.

"Tens of thousands of farmers would leave their farmlands to join a Luzon-wide peasants' march and caravan leading to the former U.S. military bases in Clark Air Base," KMP secretary general Danilo Ramos said in a statement.

The exiled leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) assailed the U.S. for committing a "far more monstrous acts of terrorism than those of the September 11, 2001" by waging wars of aggression against Afghanistan and Iraq and "using weapons of mass destruction."

In a statement sent Thursday, September 11, to IslamOnline.net from the Netherlands, Professor Jose Maria Sison, CPP founding chairman, said Afghanistan and Iraq offensives were worse than the 9/11 attacks, for claiming the lives of tens of thousands of Afghani and Iraqi civilians and destroying the social infrastructure, including schools, hospitals as well as water and power systems.

On his way to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Thai capital Bangkok, Bush will make an eight-hour visit to meet President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and other Filipino officials.

Bush has acknowledged the support given by the Philippine government in their war against Iraq.

His state visit, the first ever in his presidency, is viewed as an acknowledgment of the Philippine support in the war on Iraq.

The Philippines is touted as the only country in Southeast Asia, which declared its all-out support for the U.S. in the Iraq attack.

Arroyo was the first Asian leader to call Bush after the 9/11 attacks and was the first leader to condemn "terrorism".

She was assailed for doing so by the same groups that plan to hold anti-U.S. rallies during Bush’s visit.

Watertight Security

Apparently concerned with the pronouncements, presidential spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said the Philippine National Police (PNP) would impose strict security measures to prevent possible trouble as a result of violent anti-U.S. rallies.

"First of all, protest action must be peaceful. We respect their rights to demonstrate but it would be more appropriate if they can conduct it in a peaceful and orderly manner," he stressed in his statement.

Bunye said there is nothing wrong about waving red banners or flags. "They are not restricted to do it. What is not allowed is the use of violence to create chaos, which I hope will not happen."

He reiterated the appeal that while the government respects their rights of expression. "Let us do it that would not cause trouble, injury or destruction to property."

Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Lucero, military information officer, said agents of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) will conduct intensive intelligence operations in the metropolis.

"They would be centering most of their efforts on collecting information on the security situation in Metro Manila so that there would be no hitches when the U.S. President visits Manila," he said.

Arroyo said on Saturday that although Bush’s visit is short, it will have a substantial impact on Philippine-American relations and in the two countries partnership in such areas as global peace, security and development.

"It maybe short but the expected gains are undiminished."

She argued that the Filipino people are waiting for the Bush visit with anticipation and gladness. "This event will be both highly symbolic and substantive."

Arroyo further said that the visit will symbolize the conjoined strategic objectives of the Philippines and the United States for global peace, security and development as well as the continuing U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia.

She hopes that the visit "will further seal our pact against terrorism and poverty as the U.S. gears for a broader post-conflict and rehabilitative role in Mindanao."

"The bonds of friendship and mutuality will be deepened and tightened," Arroyo pointed out.

In a radio interview, Bunye said the White House advance party is already in town, coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs in the preparation of Bush’s schedule and other details.