Nuns demonstrate against U.S. military in southern Philippines

Published: 2008-02-18

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines (CNS) -- Catholic nuns led a demonstration through the streets of this southern Philippine city Feb. 18, denouncing the presence of U.S. soldiers in the conflict-plagued region. "The U.S. troops don't provide any benefit to our people or our country. Their presence here is destructive, and they should go away," said Sister Elsa Compuesto, a member of the Missionary Sisters of Mary. "They are opportunistic. They're really here to protect the economic interests of the United States, to exploit our natural resources in Mindanao. Our region is rich in natural resources, but the people are being deprived of them," said Sister Elsa, who is also executive secretary of the Sisters Association of Mindanao, a group of some 350 women religious which coordinates work on justice and peace issues. Sister Elsa and several other nuns marched at the head of a procession of some 4,000 protesters, carrying a sign stating: "We care for human dignity and national sovereignty. U.S. troops out now!"

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