Anakbayan-Ilocos condemned the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for launching a 10-day AFP Joint Exercise (AJEX) Sea, Air, and Land (DAGITPA) war games in Ilocos Region and other parts of Luzon from November 4 to 14. The AFP launched the military activities while large parts of the Philippines were being battered by successive typhoons Tino and Uwan.
According to the youth group, the war games brought nothing but danger and devastation to Ilocanos. The AFP often uses the region as a venue for war games, especially activities involving US and other foreign military troops.
The group said these activities are part of the US imperialist “preparation and provocation” for war against its rival imperialist China. It also augments US exploitation of the region and the entire Philippines as a vast military base, weapons depot, and cannon fodder.
The group believes that the nonstop military exercises like AJEX DAGITPA and other foreign-involved war games such as Balikatan and Kamandag only serve to provoke China to put on more pressure on the Philippines.
“The Philippines is caught in the rivalry between two imperialist countries. We seem to be caught between a rock and a hard place,” Anakbayan-Ilocos said.
The group fears that if the US succeeds in provoking war with China, Ilocos communities will suffer because of their proximity to the West Philippine Sea and US military bases. This would destroy the region’s farming and fishing communities.
Anakbayan-Ilocos called on their fellow Filipino youth to expose and oppose the US-instigated war efforts. This includes denouncing the endless war games, construction of bases and military facilities, deployment of weapons, and other related actions.
Instead of war, the group urges peaceful means to resolve disputes between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea. The group calls to: “Stop the continuous military exercises! Expel all US military bases from the country!”
