Opponents decry return of U.S.

Opponents decry return of U.S.

MANILA (AP): An agreement that would allow the resumption of joint U.S.-Philippine military exercises would violate Philippine sovereignty and revive anti-American sentiment, opponents said yesterday.

About 100 members of the left-wing Movement for National Democracy rallied at the U.S. Embassy to denounce the accord, called the Visiting Forces Agreement.

The agreement, which provides certain legal protections for U.S. troops while in the Philippines, was signed early this year and is awaiting approval by the Philippine Senate.

Opponents claim the agreement shields American soldiers who commit offenses from criminal prosecution in Philippine courts because of various loopholes.