Zoom ID: 87162136066
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Manifesto Against US-BBM Proxy War

April 24, 2024

We, the Filipino people, stand strongly united to oppose in the most vigorous terms the insidious attempt by the United States government and the Marcos administration to impose upon us and the rest of the region and the world, a proxy war against China.

A US proxy war with China will have to be fought on Asian soil, waters and airspace, and its first and last casualties will be Filipinos, beginning with the poorest of our own people. This is an existential threat to our very existence.
The history of our country is marred by centuries of colonization and exploitation by foreign powers, endured the yoke of Spanish, American and Japanese occupation for at least five hundred years. This long experience of subjugation and humiliation has deepened our yearning for true independence. We cannot allow a proxy war to destroy the legacy of patriotism and courage to pass on to posterity.

The United States has a long history of intervention in the affair of sovereign nations, using economic, political and military means to impose its dominance and further its own interest. The recent “Pivot to Asia” strategy, aimed at containing China’s peaceful rise, has led to the escalation of tensions in the region, using the Philippines, among others as a strategic pawn in its dangerous game.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., after only a little over two years in office, has decided to salvage his failing leadership by becoming part of the American kite that flies over the Asian skies – granting unwarranted concessions to the U.S., granting rent-free four military sites inside Philippine bases under the so-called Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in gross violation of the Philippine Constitution and our highest national interest.

EDCA is an “executive agreement” banned under the Philippine Constitution, Section 25 Article XVIII providing that after 1991, foreign military bases, troops or facilities “shall not be allowed in the Philippines, except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate and when Congress so requires, ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the people in a national referendum.”

EDCA is not a treaty but grants to the US “rights” expressly prohibited by the Constitution. EDCA, a blatant insult to Filipino sovereignty and naked provocation to China, has been deceitfully posed as a valid response to alleged Chinese “provocations.” The Ayungin incidents have been described as Chinese “aggression,” but appear to be a valid response to the US-BBM EDCA military “provocations.”

We strongly reject as the world must reject, the false narrative that China has acted as “a naked aggressor” in these non-lethal incidents. To begin with, China has been circumspect in making sure that no weapons of war were used, and there were no fatalities in these unfortunate incidents.
Toward this end we call on President Marcos to reaffirm his “ironclad” commitment to the Constitution, notably to its mandate of an independent foreign policy, its renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy, and its self-designation of the Philippines as a nuclear weapons free-state removed from the conflicting ambitions of the nuclear powers.

In the spirit of national unity and solidarity, we call on all Filipinos to join us in this struggle against proxy war and to do their utmost best to achieve the goals of genuine peace and progress for our individual selves, our respective families, and the national and international community.

NO TO US-BBM PROXY WAR

Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
KONTRA GIYERA
24 April 2024

Zoom ID: 87162136066
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87162136066

Atty. Harry Roque
Former Presidential Spokesperson
2022 Senatorial Candidate

Sen. Francisco “Kit” Tatad
Senate of the Philippines, 1992 to 2001
Former Minister of Public Information

Lorraine Badoy
Former Undersecretary, NTF-ELCAC
Host, Pilipinas Nating Mahal

Rigoberto “Bobi” Tiglao
Former Ambassador, Pres. Spokesperson
Opinion Columnist

Sass Rogando Sasot
International Relations Scholar
Political Blogger

Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz
Host, Pilipinas Nating Mahal

Prof. Anna Malindog-Uy
Vice President of External Affairs,
Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies


Wednesday
April 24,2024
9am

More guests to be announced

Herman Tiu Laurel
President, Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute

Daniel Long
Moderator, Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies

Ado Paglinawan
Vice President of Internal Affairs,
Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies

Media invited to cover at QC Sport Club


Zoom ID: 87162136066
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87162136066

 

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