UP students denounce VFA, EDCA. UP activists rally in front of Palma Hall at UP Diliman on Friday, October 17, to denounce the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the US. They are also calling for justice for Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey Laude, who was allegedly killed by a US serviceman in Olongapo City. GMA News
Malacañang on Saturday reminded Harry Roque, the lawyer of slain transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude’s family, to keep the issue of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) separate from the case he is handling.
“The issue on VFA and calls for its review should be discussed on a different level,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte on Saturday said, when asked to react to Roque’s opposition to he VFA.
“The issue for Jennifer should be treated separately,” Valte said.
Laude was found dead inside a motel in Olongapo City last Saturday, Oct.11. A murder complaint has been filed against US Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton. He is reportedly aboard USS Peleliu, which has been barred from leaving the Philippines while the investigation into Laude’s death is ongoing.
After the incident, some personalities and groups, including Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Francis Escudero, renewed their call to review the treaty.
