CenPEG vice chair on DZMM interview on VFA

CenPeg Vice Chair Professor Roland G. Simbulan was interviewed extensively with Atty. Evalyn Ursua by tele-radio DZMM anchor Henry Omaga Diaz last October 25, 2014 about the murder of Jennifer Laude and the issue of jurisdiction and custody under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). The interview was held at the ABS-CBN studios. Prof. Simbulan noted the sham sovereignty that the Philippines practices when it claims that it has "jurisdiction" over the heinous crime and yet allows the United States custody of the accused. The government has abdicated its role in protecting its own citizens when it comes to crimes committed by U.S. troops under the VFA and now under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Simbulan noted the "amnesia" of President Noynoy Aquino who was one of the signatories to the Senate Resolution in 2009 calling for an immediate bilateral review of the VFA and if the U.S. refuses, the Philippines should abrogate the VFA.