PH does not need US in WPS dispute -progressive groups

Progressive groups gathered along Mendiola Street on Tuesday to protest against United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to the Philippines, emphasizing that the country did not need the help of a former colonizer.

“The country’s assertion of sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea against China’s aggression should not involve the opportunistic meddling of a former colonizer,” Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) said in a statement.

BAYAN added that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was advancing the geopolitical interest of the US in the region by shamelessly offering the Philippines as an extension of the US military network.

Blinken was visiting the country to discuss cooperation and security matters with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. They would meet later on Tuesday-March 19.

Their meeting comes on the heels of heightened tensions between the Philippines and China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

The progressive groups said they condemned the meeting for it would only benefit the US and Marcos.

“Alam nating hindi natin kailangan ang tulong ng US. Kaya malinaw ang araw na ito, na iniwasto natin dito mismo sa kapaanan ng Mendiola, ang ating pagtutol. Dapat lumabas na ang bisita na di natin kailangan ang Estados Unidos sa ating bansa,” said fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas-Cavite (PAMALAKAYA).

Blinken arrived in Manila on the night of March 18 after attending the US-initiated Summit for Democracy gathering in South Korea.

The US State Secretary would also meet with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo to discuss increasing alarm over developments in the disputed South China Sea and improving economic cooperation, Philippine government sources said. — DVM, GMA Integrated News