By By Juliane Judilla
Multi-sectoral progressive groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) held a protest coinciding with the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump of the United States of America on Monday, January 20.
The groups marched from Kalaw Avenue to the United States Embassy in Metro Manila, condemning the expansion of US military intervention in the country and its “warmongering” tactics that further escalate tensions in the Asia-Pacific.
According to BAYAN, there is no expected change in foreign policy under the Trump administration, and the demonstration amplifies “the people’s assertion of sovereignty and resistance against imperialist meddling.”
The coalition of party-list groups MAKABAYAN denounced the inauguration, citing the repression of civil rights among US-based Filipino immigrants as one of the major looming dangers under the Trump regime.
The coalition also noted that Trump’s recent controversial statements about gaining control of the Panama Canal and annexing Greenland to counter China reflect a “madman strategy” that could further harm “regional stability and Philippine sovereignty.”
“We can expect such outrageous and blatant US intervention in the Asia Pacific and the Philippines, given our strategic location amid the US-China power competition. America’s nine EDCA bases here, the increased joint military and maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea, and other US military interventions to contain China could all expand under the Trump presidency. Trump could easily stoke more tension and warmongering in the region at the expense of our sovereignty and security,” said Liza Maza, MAKABAYAN President.
Meanwhile, the groups also criticized Trump’s harsh immigration policy, which endangers the rights and welfare of more than four million Filipino Americans, including almost two million Filipino immigrants living and working in the US. Trump reportedly vowed to launch the largest deportation drive in US history, including a massive immigration raid by 200 officers from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Millions of our fellow countrymen are being forced to resort to undocumented work in the US due to the severe employment crisis in the Philippines. They strive to live with dignity. The inhumane treatment they receive from Trump, as if they are hardened criminals, is unacceptable. No self-respecting country should allow such treatment of its people,” said Maza.
“With the reimposition of stricter immigration rules under Trump, thousands of Filipinos in the US are in danger of losing their jobs and livelihoods,” she added./PT
