MANILA, Philippines – As Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte begins his 4-day China visit, hundreds of Filipino activists, indigenous peoples and Moro groups marched to the US embassy in Manila to demand an end to US intervention.
Umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan joined Sandugo, a newly-formed alliance of national minorities, in protesting unequal relations with the US, while supporting Duterte’s independent foreign policy.
“More than ever, we are determined to seek an end to US impositions on the Philippines. We do not wish to remain a neo-colony of the US. All US troops, bases and military facilities must go. All unequal pacts should be terminated. It is time the Philippines relate to the international community with our national interest and dignity intact,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.
“The Philippines will not be dictated on, whether by the US or China. We will chart our own path that is consistent with our best interests. We are not worried by the so-called aid we stand to lose from the US. We have far more to gain in asserting our independence and standing on our own two feet,”, Reyes said.
BAYAN slammed the US public relations campaign that sought to remind the Philippines of the US humanitarian aid in the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda. The PR campaign highlighted the benefits of having US troops and facilities in the country.
Duterte had criticized the US and other industrialized countries, saying that they too are to blame for climate change that caused super typhoons such as Yolanda.
“For the US, their so-called aid after Yolanda was an investment and a pitch for the approval of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. Of all the countries that gave humanitarian assistance, it is only the US that sought a defense pact that would bring back US bases in the Philippines. That is not aid nor goodwill. That is taking advantage of the sufferings of the people, ” Reyes said.
The militant group meanwhile is closely monitoring Duterte’s China visit and the developing relations between the two countries. “Bottomline is that we cannot backtrack on the favorable ruling of the international tribunal. However, we can seek equal and beneficial relations without surrendering sovereignty and weakening our position,” Reyes said.
Filipino activists protest at US embassy as Duterte begins China trip
