Protesters march to the United States embassy in Pasay City on Tuesday, November 14 to denounce US’ involvement in the Israel-Hamas war. Photo from Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Facebook page.
MANILA, Philippines – Approximately 400 people from various groups marched to the United States (US) embassy in Pasay City on Tuesday to denounce the US involvement in the Israel-Hamas war.
The groups, collectively known as Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), expressed their condemnation of US imperialism, pointing to the continuous bombing campaigns over Gaza and the superpower’s increasing military aid to Israel.
“The deaths of more than 4,000 children and the destruction of hospitals, schools, and refugee camps are the responsibility of the Biden government. The US has provided unqualified support for the war crimes committed by Israel and has refused even the most basic call for a ceasefire. The US is an active participant in the mass murder of thousands,” BAYAN said in a statement.
“More than ever, millions of people across the globe are realizing that imperialism means war,” it added.
The group also denounced US military presence and war games in the Philippines, criticizing what they perceive as an exploitation of the Philippines’ just demands in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to advance US interests.
“The US is only interested in a hegemonic agenda, not in Philippine sovereignty and national interest,” BAYAN emphasized.
BAYAN likewise called for the complete demilitarization of the WPS, asserting that Filipinos must “not allow the country to be a playground and footstool of imperialist war-mongers.”
“The Philippine struggle for national liberation against imperialism is connected to the Palestinian struggle for liberation against Zionism and US imperialism. We cannot be truly free if Palestine is not free and as long as imperialism holds sway,” BAYAN stated.
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