KMP calls for junking of RP-China economic agreements
KMP News Release (Manila) | August 5, 2007
Due to onerous deals and dangerous products
KMP calls for junking of RP-China Economic Agreements!
The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) called for the junking of the RP- China Economic agreements as the unfairness of the deals have been exposed and numerous Chinese products have been found to be dangerous to consumers.
According to Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano, chairman of KMP and concurrent president of ANAKPAWIS, “now is the most opportune time to junk the RP-China agreements because it is now obvious that the deals would only benefit China and not the Filipino people. In fact we are being imperiled by some of their products,”
“Just look at the RP-China Agricultural agreement for example; it is composed of 19 agreements which provide China with the capability to produce food using Philippine territorial lands and waters. This is in line with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’ s thrust for agri-business and would use at least 2 million hectares of our land,” said Mariano.
“This would inevitably mean massive displacement of peasants from their lands. Besides the crops to be planted are not for Filipino consumption but are for export to China and other countries. Their target is to plant rice, corn, sorghum, vegetables, fish, other food crops and biofuels. Essentially they are trying to make us like a vassal in the feudal period,” added the peasant leader.
“Furthermore the food security of our country would be jeopardized because these agreements are geared for Chinese food consumption and not for Filipinos. Besides the products that they export here are of questionable quality and might put our consumers in danger, if this is any indication then the entry of more of their products through these agreements would only heighten the chances of people getting sick,” ended Mariano.
