THE brutal murder of transgender Filipina Jennifer Laude has galvanized protests among kababayans from coast to coast here in the United States on two fronts: against the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the United States and the Philippines; and the prejudices and violence against the gays, lesbians, transgenders in the Philippines.
President Benigno Aquino III said on Monday, Oct. 20 that there is no reason to abolish the VFA and explained that the fault of one is not the fault of the rest.
This position is shared by many Fil-Am community leaders who explain that such ties with the United States have been helping the Philippines in its territorial disputes against China in the West Philippine Sea, and during time of natural disaster and calamities.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has given his assurance that the United States will cooperate in the investigation of US Marine Joseph Pemberton, and that America will continue to respect the rule of law and uphold the provisions of the VFA.
An overwhelming majority of Fil-Ams who voted on The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast Balitang America, believe that the benefits of the VFA outweigh whatever criticisms militant groups have against it.
When asked, “Should the Visiting Forces Agreement be scrapped following the death of transgender Pinay Jennifer Laude?,” 84 percent of those who voted said NO.
Correspondents Rommel Conclara, Steve Angeles and Don Tagala chronicled comments from Fil-Ams and here are some of them as aired on The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast Balitang America:
“The soldier who is responsible for her murder is not even in custody right now,” said Lacanilao. “He is being protected under the Visiting Forces Agreement which we’ve seen time and time again to really hurt the Filipino people more than it promised to protect us. We call on the Filipino government to end the Visiting Forces Agreement, end the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement that they recently signed because it’s not benefiting us.” — Faye Lacanilao of BAYAN-USA
“GABRIELA-USA is outraged and saddened by the news of the murder of Jennifer. We find this very reminiscent of Lance Corporal Daniel Smith in the 2005 historic rape case of Nicole. Jennifer’s death is not only a direct impact of US military presence in the Philippines but her brutal murder further exposes the daily vulnerability of trans-women who regularly suffer systemic violence and hate crimes. More US troops can only mean more cases of violence against women and children. Trans-women like Jennifer are at a higher risk for violence because we live in a system that de-legitimizes their lives. Although there is an increase in violence towards trans-people worldwide little is ever done to protect their lives and to hold the perpetrators accountable. The murder of Jennifer is clearly a hate crime committed by U.S. personnel and he is must be held accountable by the Philippine justice system.” — Tina Shauf of GABRIELA-USA
“I think it’s really important especially here in San Francisco because everyone knows that San Francisco is almost like a gay capital. But I think what’s really important is LGBTQ organizations of color rally around this specific issue and we were able to show that through this vigil.” — Pia Cortez of GABRIELA SF and a queer-identified Pinay
“We feel like it’s important here in this place where there is so many LGBTQ people here. Transgender-lives and voices are still very marginalized and are not as visible.” — Filipino-American Reverend Jeanelle Ablola of Pine United Methodist Church
“I think in general, LGBT organizations could do a better job to think about who they’re hiring in terms of their staff, in terms of the leadership to really build in that leadership within, so that they’re reflective of the community. “ — Isa Noyola of El/LA Para Translatinas.
“We empathize, we sympathize…This is very, very important to us. This is our community and it should be everybody else’s community, and I believe fighting for one is fighting for all.” — queer-identified Pinay Russel Arelis of GABRIELA SF.
“We are calling for justice for the killing, for the horrendous murder of our transgender sister back home in the Philippines…No one has the right to kill someone regardless of the circumstances behind.” — Human Rights Campaign Volunteer Chelle Lhuillier
“I am part Filipino-Hawaiian. I am a woman of trans experience and he needs to be held accountable…I am demanding that the US government turn him over to the Philippine government…The matter of Jennifer is clearly a hate crime committed by a US military personnel and he must be held accountable.” — transgender Fil-Am Armani Teighlor
“We are also urging the Philippine Consulate to pressure the Philippine government and the US government to junk the visiting Forces Agreement and the EDCA Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.” — Bayan Queer Caucus’ Jenabi Pareja
“Trans women are women. Trans lives matter…Jennifer living her truth is enough. She’s a woman. Nobody deserves to die like she did. — Geena Rocero, the founder of transgender rights group Gender Proud
“We agree that the visiting forces agreement should be scrapped….And we should include in that the most newly passed EDCA because that also opens the door to more militarization…There are a number of human rights violations that we can look at under President Aquino’s administration. That shows that the U.S. military presence only increases the violence we see amongst women, children, and families across the Philippines.” — Nikole Cababa, Regional Coordinator of Bayan USA So-Cal
“We demand President Aquino, as he has the power and responsibility, to compel the U.S. to surrender Pemberton. We also demand President Obama to wave custody of Pemberton and we will continue to organize until these victims get justice.” — Terrie Cervas, Vice Chair of Gabriella USA
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
