Led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), national-democratic groups marched to the US embassy in Manila on June 12 to commemorate the 127th anniversary of the Philippines’ fake independence. They condemned the US for intensifying intervention and military interference in the Philippines and its criminal role in the genocide in Palestine.
They condemned US for its continuing dominance of interest and the US military bases expansion in the Philippines, which violates the country’s sovereignty. The Marcos regime is betraying the Filipino people by advancing the US’s geopolitial agenda in the Asia Pacific and allowing the country to be exploited as an extension of its military power, they said.
In the first half of the year alone, the US launched at least four major war games on Philippine territory. Since May, the US has been simultaneously conducting three of these games, one in partnership with its Australian military ally. These are Kamandag (May 26–June 6), Kasangga (May 19–June 24), and Salaknib 2025 Phase 2 (May 19–July 20).
Prior to these, Balikatan 40-25 was held from April 21 to May 9. At least 17,000 American and Filipino troops participated in the war games, along with hundreds of Japanese and Australian soldiers. At the invitation of the Marcos regime, representatives and military officials from 16 other countries served as observers at the war games.
“The grim legacy of neocolonial rule is evident under the Marcos Jr government which led to the expansion of US bases under EDCA, the deployment of Typhon and Nmesis missile systems, and the escalation of tension in the region,” according to Bayan.
The group condemned the US-Marcos regime for using the maritime dispute with China to justify war preparations using the Philippines as a launching pad. They said this issue shrouds the history of US imperialist occupation and abuse against Filipinos.
The group is pushing for the expulsion of all US troops and bases and the termination of the Philippines’ lopsided military agreements with the US.
During the protest, cultural activists staged a street performance to highlight the US’ colonial crimes and the Philippine leaders’ subservience to its imperialist master. “its acts of aggression, military buildup, and meddling in the affairs of other countries expose its real imperialist agenda” behind the guise of promoting democracy, the group said.
The group added that these principles of US imperialism are behind its support for Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine and the genocide of civilians in Gaza. “The US government should be held accountable for its crimes against humanity,” according to Bayan. Bayan expressed support and solidarity with the struggle of the Palestinian people to liberate their country and themselves from the occupier.
On June 12, Bayan chapters and its member organizations also held protest actions in Kawit, Cavite and in Cebu City.