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Anti-VFA protests ahead of Clinton's visit to Manila

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 MANILA - At least 100 members of a students' activist group on Wednesday held a lightning protest in front of the United States embassy in Manila, signalling a series of demonstrations during US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit in the Philippines.Terry Ridon, secretary-general of the League of Filipino Students, led at least 100 youth activists protesting the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) in front of the US embassy along Roxas Boulevard."Bumabati ang mga estudyante, ang mga kabataan (The students, the youth are greeting [Mrs. Clinton]," Ridon said, adding that they will be holding similar protests against VFA while Clinton is in the country.Clinton will stay in Manila on Thursday noon until Friday before attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC) in Singapore.Clinton is set to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministerial Meeting and will stop by the Philippines on Thursday noon until Friday. It will be Clinton’s first visit to the Philippines as US Secretary of State.Clinton's spokesman Ian Kelly said in a statement released Saturday that the US secretary of state will hold consultations with senior Philippine officials and tackle US-Philippines treaty alliance.Malacañang said that aside from discussing US-RP treaties, Mrs. Arroyo will also discuss with Clinton next year's elections and the "smooth turnover of power" in 2010.Ridon said student activists will return to the US embassy on Thursday to welcome Clinton and make her hear their sentiments against the VFA.
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