107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 273

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Reaffirming the special relationship between the

United States and the Republic of the Philippines.

107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 273

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas the United States and the Republic of the Philippines have shared a special relationship of mutual benefit for more than 100 years;

Whereas 2001 marks the 50th anniversary of the United

States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, signed at

Washington on August 30, 1951 (3 UST 3947);
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Whereas since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on

the United States, the Philippines has been among the

most steadfast friends of the United States during a time

of grief and turmoil, offering heartfelt sympathy and support;

Whereas after the United States launched its war of self-defense in Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, Philippine

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo immediately announced her Government’s unwavering support for the

operation, calling it ‘‘the start of a just offensive’’;

Whereas during United States operations in Afghanistan, the

Government of the Philippines has made all of its military installations available to the United States Armed

Forces for transit, refueling, resupply, and staging operations;

Whereas this assistance provided by the Philippines has

proved highly valuable in the prosecution of the war in

Afghanistan, as acknowledged by the Commander-inChief of United States Forces in the Pacific;

Whereas the Philippines also faces grave terrorist threats

from the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New

People’s Army, the National Democratic Front, and the

radical Abu Sayaff group, as well as an armed secessionist movement, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front;

Whereas the Abu Sayaff group has historical ties to Osama

bin Laden and the al-Qaeda network, and has engaged

in hundreds of act of terrorism in the Philippines, including bombings, arson, and kidnappings;

Whereas in May 2001, Abu Sayaff kidnapped United States

citizens Martin Burnham, Gracia Burnham, and Guillermo Sobero, along with several Filipinos;
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Whereas Abu Sayaff killed Mr. Sobero and continues to detain Martin Burnham and Gracia Burnham; and

Whereas the United States and the Philippines are committed to each other’s security pursuant to the Mutual

Defense Treaty: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That Congress—

3 (1) expresses its deepest gratitude to the Gov4 ernment and people of the Philippines for their sym5 pathy and support since the September 11, 2001,

6 terrorist attacks on the United States;

7 (2) expresses its sympathy to the current and

8 recent Filipino victims of terrorism and their fami9 lies;

10 (3) affirms the commitment of the United

11 States to the Republic of the Philippines pursuant to

12 the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty;

13 (4) supports the Government of the Philippines

14 in its efforts to prevent and suppress terrorism; and
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1 (5) acknowledges the economic and military

2 needs of the Philippines and pledges to continue to

3 assist in addressing those needs.

Passed the House of Representatives December 18,

2001.

Attest:

Clerk.