End the Visiting Forces Agreement NOW !
5/27/25
On the 26th Anniversary of the Visiting Forces Agreement, GABRIELA USA asserts that because unequal military agreements between the U.S. and the Philippines perpetuate violence against women & children – they must end immediately!
In the past 6 months alone, we have seen growing military presence in the Philippines, especially from the military exercises Salaknib, Balikatan & Salaknib II that have been ongoing since March & the $5.58 billion dollar arms that was negotiated after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s visit to the Philippines. In the past few years, the Philippines has also started up VFAs with other countries like Japan and France. This looming threat of militarization and war is a direct result of unequal military agreements like the VFA and EDCA.
This is the 26th year of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) which allows entry of an unlimited number of US troops, engaging in unspecified activities, deployed in unspecified areas for an unlimited duration of time. This is a total infringement on PH sovereignty and opens up the country to complete occupation by US military personnel (and now Japan & France) with no formal base agreements.
The VFA has also led to many instances of Violence Against Women (VAW) such as the Subic rape case of 2005 and the murder of Jennifer Laude in 2014. In both instances, the US military perpetrator was allowed lenience and fell under jurisdiction of the US and not the Philippines, despite these crimes being committed against Filipino women on PH soil.
The VFA also ramps up US military aid under guise of “AFP modernization” program, but in reality, the Philippines receives second hand military equipment while the bulk of spending goes toward counter-insurgency and state terrorism against the National Democratic movement, especially in the countryside.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines, funded by the US, also perpetuates sexual violence within its own ranks. GABRIELA USA vehemently condemns the recently reported rape cases of an AFP general against 2 junior officers. Not a single taxpayer dollar should be going to this dirty, corrupt military that even attacks its own soldiers.
This long history of the US exploiting the Philippines as a military base continues today. Puppet politicians like PH Ambassador Jose Romualdez have abandoned both Filipinos in ICE detention and overseas Filipino voters during the most recent 2025 midterms. Why havent we seen the Philippine government nor Romualdez fulfill their duties and responsibility to the people? Their priorities are focused on actively forging more military relationships, especially arms and technology deals with companies like Northrup Grumman.
This history of the Philippines, and especially our people and women, being used as collateral damage for US-led war must end now! We must not forget the 26 years of militarization that the US has committed against our people and how the Philippine government has allowed for them to bolster their weaponry in our country without regard to the people’s interests and desires.
We as GABRIELA are fighting for a Philippines to be a truly sovereign country - one free from unequal military policies backed by violent imperialist countries like the U.S. Our country and its people deserve to live a dignified life - one in which is not at the helm of U.S. domination. We have fought the removal of U.S. troops from PH soil before and we have the power to do it again as a collective force!
Take action by participating in the following:
Join and co-sponsor “US Out of the Philippines” Campaign
Attend local actions/rallies on June 12th - Philippine “Hindipendence” Day
Learn more about the impacts of US Militarization on Filipino women at our website: gabrielausa.org