Activists Protest US Influence
Filipino activists marched towards the US Embassy in Manila on Thursday, protesting against what they described as continued US economic and military influence in the Philippines.
Footage shows protesters from the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) alliance and other activist groups marching through heavy rain with placards opposing the US-led Pax Silica initiative and the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Police can also be seen forming a barricade to block the march.
Kyle Lura, Secretary General of Makabayan NCR, claimed Filipinos would bear the costs of Pax Silica through higher electricity and water prices.
“Many countries are against Pax Silica, and there are many other nations where they could build it. Why in the Philippines? Because the Philippines is rich in critical minerals, particularly nickel,” he added.
Concerns Over Pax Silica
A student activist said the US-led initiative would place the burden on farmers, ‘grabbing their land and stripping their livelihoods’.
“The only ones who will benefit from this are foreign capitalists. It will take away land from thousands of farmers and millions of families,” she continued.
The Philippines joined Pax Silica in April, a US-led initiative focused on securing supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals and other strategic industries.
Under the initiative, the US and the Philippines plan to establish a 4,000-acre industrial hub in the Luzon Economic Corridor.
The Philippine government says environmental and community safeguards will be put in place, while officials say the project could attract investment and create high-skilled jobs.
EDCA Opposition Continues
The demonstration also targeted the EDCA with the US, with protesters arguing it will ‘only drag us further into war’.
“We are reminding the nation never again to let ourselves be fooled by the imperialist United States,” BAYAN chairperson Teddy Casino said.
The Philippines and the US currently have nine agreed locations under EDCA, which allows US forces rotational access and supports joint training, infrastructure development, the pre-positioning of equipment and humanitarian assistance.
On Thursday, US Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby said the two allies had ‘substantially accelerated’ their defence relationship and made progress at EDCA sites over the past 18 months.
Article by Viory
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