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.