‘Public pressure’ against Edca seen if…
Protesters rally in front of DFA office. MATIKAS SANTOS/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Public pressure will mount against the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) between the Philippines and the US if the American military will not fully cooperate in the ongoing investigation of a Filipino transgender woman’s death allegedly in the hands of a US Marine.
A DFA official who refused to be named told reporters Wednesday that they “have conveyed to the US that we expect full cooperation in the investigative process, otherwise we would expect repercussions.”
Asked what those repercussions would be, the official said “public pressure” against the Edca, which is still awaiting a decision on its constitutionality from the Supreme Court.
The US Marine, identified as private first class Joseph Scott Pemberton, is currently under detention on board the USS Peleliu docked at the port of Subic.
Pemberton is under investigation by the police after he and the victim, Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude, had checked into a hotel room in Olongapo City Saturday night.
Laude was found lifeless with strangulation marks on her neck in the bathroom about an hour after Pemberton had left.
Militant groups as well as the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgender (LGBT) community have held protests rallies calling for justice for Laude and for the immediate junking of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) which allows US troops into the country for military exercises.
The Edca seeks to increase and expand the military activities both countries can do including the “increased rotational presence” of US troops.
Protesters demand that this will only cause more harm for the Filipino people.
“Edca will increase the number of rapists and killers like [Lance Corporal Daniel Smith] and Pemberton,” Joms Salvador, Secretary General of Gabriela, said during a rally in front of the DFA.
“They will be in each and every area where the US troops will be allowed to stay, not just for a ‘visit’ but even for a much longer tour of duty. Edca’s future must be put on the line after this incident,” Salvador said.
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