Japanese Protestants campaign vs JPEPA

By Aquiles Zonio
Mindanao Bureau, Inquirer.net
First Posted 18:57:00 01/24/2008

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines -- A group of Japanese Protestant preachers arrived here on Tuesday to campaign against the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

The Japanese group, led by Pastor Hidetoshi Watanabe, also met with militant groups and other sectors opposing the controversial trade agreement.

Militants have claimed the JPEPA will place the country at a disadvantage and transform it into a dumping ground for Japanese toxic wastes.

Watanabe said they are in solidarity with their local counterparts in opposing JPEPA.

Aside from campaigning for the rejection of JPEPA, Watanabe said his group also wants to know how the Filipino people are reacting to the treaty.

Maribel Sisneros, local coordinator of the women’s group Gabriela, told reporters they sought the help of UCCP (United Church of Christ in the Philippines) leaders in Japan to pressure Tokyo to scrap the pact.

"The ratification of JPEPA would put the country in a disadvantaged position," she said.

Watanabe said aside from campaigning against the controversial pact, his group will also visit some Japanese-funded projects.

He said that so far, they have already visited the General Santos Fish Port, which was finished through the help of the Japan International Cooperation Agency.