Call for removal of U.S. bases from Philippines

THE REMOVAL of United States bases from the Philippines is one of the changes that a group of bishops, religious and lay people is pressing for as the Philippines' Constitutional Commission prepares to draft the country's new constitution.
Following its 18th convention, held last month in Manila, the National Secretariat of Social Action/Justice and Peace, released a set of reforms which it claims will "defend the democratic and national interests of the Filipino people".
Among the changes which the church group is pressing for is the abrogation of the Military Bases Agreement between the United States and the Philippines. The agreement, which allows for a number of United States military bases to be installed in the country, "violates national sovereignty" according to NASSA.
Land reform, which would give land to tillers and put a stop to farmers' paying high rents to their landlords, is also called for by NASSA, as is a proposed Bill of Rights of Indigenous People.
The National Director of NASSA, Bishop Antonio Fortich of Baclod, sent the list of proposals to President Corazon Aquino earlier this month, along with NASSA's "congratulations to your numerous achievements in your first 100 days in office".
The Aquino government is meanwhile facing unprecedented pressure from the Moslem separatist factions which, over the past month have been responsible for the abduction of twelve church people.
In what military advisers regard as a concerted effort to embarrass the Government, Moslem guerrillas kidnapped ten nuns and an American missionary last week. The religious were released unharmed, following negotiations between the kidnappers and a team of Government and church officials.