Obama names first African-American envoy to RP; militants ready protests
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When he assumes his post, incoming United States Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. will inherit "huge" problems hounding the two nations' relationship, including the controversial Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
Militant umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said Saturday Thomas will also have to face queries about the continued presence of US forces in Mindanao.
“It won’t be smooth sailing for the new envoy," Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said in a statement.
Reyes said that while Thomas is the first African-American to ever be appointed ambassador to the Philippines, he will ultimately be judged “based on his engagement of issues."
According to Reyes, Thomas would have to deal will the proposed review of the VFA and the continued deployment of US troops in Mindanao.
Kenney won't get away clean
Reyes said outgoing US Ambassador Kristie Ann Kenney will not leave with a clean record either.
He cited the US’ efforts to take in Lance Corporal Daniel Smith after his conviction by a Philippine court for the rape of a woman in Subic “in violation of Philippine laws."
“For all her efforts to give the ‘war on terror’ a chummy spin, controversies in the VFA, human rights violations and US basing in the South still came to the fore. She will leave behind many unresolved issues, including those that have spurred a Philippine Senate resolution calling for a review or termination of the VFA," Reyes said.
He also said militants will not be holding their breath on whether Thomas' appointment signals major changes in RP-US relations.
“We’ve been visited by three Washington officials the past six months, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and CIA director Leon Panetta. These visits merely affirmed existing lopsided relations, including the necessity of the VFA. Thomas' appointment will not likely change any of that," Reyes said
Comments
Joseph Sadowski said,
December 18, 2009 at 23:11:29:05 PM
US Ambassador Kristie Ann Kenney Did a fantastic job and the in coming US Ambassador is luck to have had her there before him, as far as the Visiting forces agreement the Lopsidedness is on the side of the Philippines as to their corruption and Terror US Ambassador Kristie Ann Kenney kept everyone on their paths and made sure everything was fair unlike what is going on in this country, it is a shame that she is now being replaced but as they say its time to take a bath and get the grime off and go home to a country dedicates itself to helping all sorts of people to a country who does not beg to a country with stability and to a country, Yes maybe it is time to see if this incoming person can achieve as much as the wonderful US Ambassador; Kristie Ann Kenney, Thank You Ambassador Kristie Ann Kenney for all you have done for the Philippines People and thank You for putting up with all the prejudice people in that country as we know how hard it is to work under those conditions, You did a fantastic Job, I am sorry to see you go! And to all You ungrateful Filipino people; I believe the VFA will be there for a very Long time and I also believe there will also be conditions added for the benefit of the Americans, for protecting the Philippines even more aggressively now that China has started its military campaign against the Philippines over the spratties with their war ships! There is an old Chinese saying; “on most accounts a child does not know when it is well off!” (Because they are Still Children)
Respectfully
Alfred D. Ferrante said,
November 21, 2009 at 10:10:57:09 AM
I wish Harry Thomas, Jr. the very best. I, as an African American, in the Philippines, I have been treated with great respect and is one of the reasons I want to make the Philippines my new home. My Filipina wife was surprised by the wonderful treatment I received by the Filipino people. They are lovable, kind and extremely hospitable.