President Barack Obama. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Militant groups vowed to hold nationwide protests against United States (US) President Barack Obama during his two-day visit to the country starting April 28.
“As Filipinos, we have to be critical of the US agenda in the region. We do not want to be pawns in the US power play in Asia. We do not want to be used for US bases and troops and be a staging ground for US intervention,” Renato Reyes Jr., Bagong Alyansang Makabyan (Bayan) Secretary General, said in a statement Friday.
The Philippines and the US are expected to formally sign the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which will give US military forces access to Philippine military bases.
Former Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casiño said that the agreement is being rushed and that it lacks transparency.
“By making this an executive agreement not requiring Senate concurrence, the Philippine government has assured that details of the pact will remain a secret until the day it is signed. The people are deliberately being kept in the dark,” Casiño said in the statement.
“That this deal is being rushed in time for Obama’s visit smacks of utter subservience to US dictates. The colonial mindset and policy frame of the Aquino regime is astounding. Every day is a throwback to colonial rule,” he said.
The protests set for Monday include a march to Clark, Pampanga where the US formerly established its air force base.
They are also planning protest caravans and marches across Mindanao where US troops have been stationed since 2002, Bayan said.
In Manila, Bayan will converge at the Liwasang Bonifacio on April 28 before marching to the historic Mendiola Bridge where they will hold a program.
“We’d also like to remind the Aquino regime that just because a US president is coming doesn’t mean our Constitutional rights will be diminished. Obama’s arrival doesn’t mean our rights as Filipinos, including the right to protest, can be curtailed,” Reyes said.
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