Foreigners to join anti-Apec rallies despite deportation threats

Protesters burn mock American flags during a rally outside the US Embassy to protest the alleged US military’s involvement in the row between the Philippines and China on the disputed islands in the South China Sea, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015 in Manila, Philippines. The protesters are opposing the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama next week to the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit of Leaders. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Defying government policies on foreigners joining rallies and the threats of deportation, the members of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) maintained that they would participate in protests against the ongoing Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec).

“We denounce this harassment from the government. We shall remain undeterred and shall go on with our protest activities,” ILPS secretary general Malcolm Guy said as the global activist group concluded its fifth assembly at the Sequioa Hotel in Quezon City on Monday.

The global activists are set to join anti-Apec rallies along with the People’s Campaign Against Apec and Imperialist Globalization (PCAIG).

This is despite warnings from the government, particularly from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that will send out thousands of its men to secure the Apec delegates and venues from protest actions.

Also on Monday, PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez reiterated the Bureau of Immigration policy banning protesters from joining political activities in the country.

“We are requesting the foreigners who are here in our country not to participate in any political activity,” said Marquez, adding that violators may be arrested during the rallies.

Marquez earlier said they will not allow any protesters to go near the Apec venues and the billeting areas of the leaders.

Timed for Apec

Communist Party of the Philippines founding chair Jose Maria Sison, who is also the ILPS chairperson, said in a statement that the three-day assembly was held in time of the Apec summit.

Sison said they are also protesting the “neoliberal economic policy of imperialist globalization which continues to brutally exploit the working people and plunge the world further in an ever worsening economic and social crisis.”

Over 160 foreign delegates from 36 countries participated in the ILPS workshop. Among the personalities were former United States representative Cynthia Ann McKinney and Leila Khaled, a Palestinian resistance icon.

McKinney, who served six terms in the US House of Representatives, has actively advocated pro-people and anti-war legislation in the US congress.

In a speech, McKinney urged the people not to be fooled by President Barack Obama’s “pivot to Asia” policy.

“You know that when the Americans come, they don’t easily leave. I say, ‘Beware President Obama’s Pivot to Asia!’ Don’t get tricked and don’t be fooled!” she said.

Also at the assembly, Sison, McKinney, and Khaled spoke to ILPS members in a teleconference.

The ILPS had opposed free trade agreements and resisted what it called “state terrorism.”

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