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"If the ‘iron-clad’ alliance comes with selling out the [Philippine] economy in exchange for ‘military aid’, then that’s not really an ‘alliance’ and that’s not really ‘aid’. That’s neocolonialism.”
Filipino activists marked the 125th anniversary of the Filipino-American War with a protest against the expansion of US military bases and the US role in genocide in Palestine, Feb. 4.
“Marcos Jr.'s ‘friend to all’ foreign policy dangerously places the country in the midst of Washington and Beijing's increased jostling for global superiority."
Now playing out in a hitherto-neglected region of the world – but not that far from our own beleaguered corner – is the escalating tension between the United States and China.
The US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, nearly 75 years old now, is being dusted off in the light of “current and emerging threats” to the two countries – read: China’s increasing belligerence about Taiwan and its own maritime claims over almost the entire South China Sea.
Even in the US, the message is clear: “Philippines is not for sale!”
Malacañang recently announced the four new sites for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), a treaty that the progressives dubbed as lop-sided for the Philippines. In this episode, we unpack what deals may burden the Filipino people and its violent nature.
A Filipino fisherfolk group decried the “no-sail zone” policy in at least five towns in the province of Zambales in the 18-day run of joint military exercises between the US and Philippine troops.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said those investments “will spur job creation and economic growth in local Philippine communities.” His enthusiasm may have exhilarated the current administration, especially the defense establishment. But to us, the Filipino people, one crucial issue remains unclear, even disturbing: how exactly or to what extent the American forces will use the EDCA sites.
Progressive groups said the Filipino people will not benefit from the increased US military presence in the country, urging the public to never forget the horrors that the American troops have committed under the lopsided military deals.
"Filipinos must not allow our country to be used as staging ground for any US military intervention in the region. The US is engaged in provocations with China using the issue of Taiwan. Allowing US use of our facilities will drag us into this conflict which is not aligned with our national interests" -- Bayan
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III left for the Philippines and South Korea on Jan. 29, to “advance regional stability and further strengthen" its partnership with the two countries.
A closer look reveals how VFA and the constant presence of US soldiers have been detrimental, subjecting Filipino women to gender-based abuses.
LGBTQIA+ group Bahaghari assailed President Duterte for being "subservient to US imperialism."
“During this 180-day transition period, the Filipino people must remain vigilant against any reversal by the Philippine Government or any intervention by the US government.”
“Why is the president putting much more store into this foreign intelligence body than that of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) which denied there was such an Oust Duterte plot?”
“Despite Duterte’s China pivot, the US military continues to hold war games and military training with Philippine troops under the Balikatan exercises.” By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO Bulatlat.com MANILA – An expert witness during the recently-concluded tribunal revealed...
“There would be no other way to best honor the memory of Jennifer Laude and boost the people’s cry for justice than by putting an end to the special treatment enjoyed by Pemberton and abrogating Edca, VFA.”
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