Environmentalists warn of destruction with increase in US troop presence, military facilities � Bulatlat

10.10.13

Environmentalists warn of destruction with increase in US troop presence, military facilities � Bulatlat: By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – Do we have to cause our destruction just so the United States can have its way in the Asia-Pacific? This underscores the questions and protests of leaders from various grassroots and environmental groups as US Secretary of State John Kerry visits the country this week. Kerry is visiting the Philippines Oct. 10 to 11 instead of US President Barack Obama. One of their likely agenda is the finalization of the framework agreement providing increased presence and base access of US troops in the Philippines, including allowing construction of US facilities on Philippine soil and prepositioning of US military equipment, supplies and materiel. US and Philippine negotiators prefer to call the framework agreement as just about “increased rotational presence.”