Fishers protest US-backed Luzon economic security zone

MANILA, Philippines — Militant fishers and allied progressive groups on Monday staged a protest outside the United States Embassy to oppose the planned Economic Security Zone (ESZ) under the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), arguing that the initiative threatens Philippine sovereignty and could further militarize strategic areas in the country.

The protest, led by the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), coincided with the 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling on the West Philippine Sea.

Unlike government-led commemorations marking the ruling, the groups said their protest sought to draw attention not only to China’s actions in the disputed waters but also to what they described as the growing security implications of expanding US military and economic initiatives in the Philippines.

READ: PH, US meet about Luzon Economic Corridor

Opposition to economic security zone

Pamalakaya said it was protesting the planned Economic Security Zone, which includes the US-led Pax Silica initiative that seeks to establish an artificial intelligence-focused industrial hub in New Clark City, Tarlac, as well as the rehabilitation of Sangley Point Airport in Cavite under the Luzon Economic Corridor.

The Philippines and the United States earlier announced plans to establish a 1,619-hectare economic security zone within the Luzon Economic Corridor, describing it as the first project of its kind under the US-led Pax Silica initiative. 

The project aims to strengthen supply chains for artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals and other strategic technologies, while the broader corridor connects key economic centers from Subic and Clark to Metro Manila and Batangas.

READ: US deepens Luzon corridor partnership

The Philippines formally joined Pax Silica in April, with government officials saying the initiative is intended to attract high-value investments in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and semiconductor industries while strengthening the country’s role in global technology supply chains.

Pamalakaya, however, said the initiative raises concerns over national sovereignty.

“A decade after the tribunal ruling, we are facing a bigger and more urgent threat to national sovereignty and territorial integrity – the U.S. direct military interventionism,” Pamalakaya National Chairperson Fernando Hicap said in a statement.

“U.S. military facilities and installations under the guise of economic security zones are already right in front of our terrestrial and fluvial domains, courtesy of the Marcos administration’s foreign policies,” he added. 

READ: Group slams Pax Silica as ‘massive sellout’ of country

Concerns over Sangley Point

During Monday’s protest, fisherfolk from Cavite also opposed the planned rehabilitation of Sangley Point Airport, claiming the project could effectively transform the civilian airport into what they described as a US military “forward base.”

The airport is located at the mouth of Manila Bay and provides direct access to the South China Sea.

“Similar to the installation of military facilities in at least nine EDCA sites across the country, the U.S. aims to install in our civilian airport a forward operating base for its geopolitical agenda,” said Richard Catenza, president of Pamalakaya-Cavite.

Government’s position on Pax Silica

The Economic Security Zone forms part of the broader Luzon Economic Corridor, a Philippines-Japan-United States initiative launched in 2024 to accelerate investments in transport, energy, digital connectivity and manufacturing infrastructure across western Luzon. Officials have said the proposed AI-focused industrial hub in New Clark City would be developed in phases to attract global technology companies.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has identified a 1,619-hectare site in New Clark City for the project, which is expected to host industries supporting artificial intelligence, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua Bingcang earlier said more than 50 companies had expressed interest in locating in the hub.

Government officials have consistently maintained that Pax Silica is an economic and commercial initiative.

Bingcang earlier said the partnership with the United States would be structured as a commercial agreement rather than a military arrangement, adding that US officials had assured the Philippine government that activities in the proposed hub would be “only [for] commercial [activities].” He also said Philippine laws would govern criminal and civil matters within the project.

Finance Secretary Frederick Go has likewise described Pax Silica as a priority initiative that could position the Philippines in the global technology value chain by attracting investments, creating jobs and developing industries related to artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing.

Call to scrap agreements

Also joining Monday’s protest was Anakpawis Party-list, which called on the Marcos administration to withdraw military and economic agreements with the United States, including Pax Silica and the Luzon Economic Corridor.

“It is not speculation if we raise fear that these facilities are potential targets of U.S. rival countries in the course of actual military confrontation. This will endanger civilian communities and infrastructures,” Anakpawis Coordinator Glo Fernandez said.

“We assert that all military treaties with the U.S. be abrogated, and its military facilities in the country be dismantled,” Fernandez added. /mr