Bayan to protest during Trump inauguration for US troops pullout

US President-elect Donald Trump. AP FILE PHOTO

Militant groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) will be holding protests on Friday to mark the inauguration of new United States President Donald Trump.

“The protest in Manila will be demanding the pull-out of US troops and facilities in the Philippines,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes said in a statement.

He said they will also be calling for the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the US and the Philippines, which the group called “unequal.”

“Trump represents the worst of US imperialist interests and poses a danger to the world,” Reyes said.

He said Trump’s slogan of “making America great again” means keeping the US as the number one superpower in the world.

“His election is indicative of the worsening crisis in the US. His presidency will intensify social contradictions in the US,” Reyes said.

He said militant groups will be “closely watching the outcome of Trump’s relationship with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte” and urging the president to maintain an independent foreign policy.

Duterte has a relatively good relationship with left-leaning groups in the country. He has re-opened formal talks with the National Democratic Front and has repeatedly criticized the US and its incumbent President Barack Obama.

Reyes said they will hold protests again in November if Trump visits the country for the East Asia Summit.

“The US must end its continuing intervention and dismantle its bases in Asia,” he said. JE