Marco Rubio visit triggers anti-US protest clashes in Philippines
Key Takeaways
- Anti-US protesters clashed with riot police in Pasay City.
- Demonstrators demanded Marco Rubio leave the Philippines.
- Protesters opposed the US-backed Pax Silica technology initiative.
Demonstrators demanding an end to US military influence clashed with police as Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended ASEAN meetings in Pasay City.
Anti-US protesters clashed with riot police in Pasay City after officers blocked a march towards the Philippine International Convention Centre, where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was attending ASEAN meetings.
Police formed a barricade with riot shields across the road as protesters pushed forward, leading to a series of confrontations.
Before the clashes, demonstrators chanted "US number one terrorist" while carrying banners reading "No to US war" and "Philippines not for sale!"
Addressing the crowd, Mong Palatino, secretary general of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), said, "Marco Rubio, we repeat, is NOT welcome in the Philippines! The Philippines is not for sale! War criminals like Marco Rubio should leave the Philippines!"
The demonstration was organised by BAYAN alongside the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) labour coalition and several youth and activist groups.
Protesters accused Rubio and the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr of advancing military and economic agreements that they said threaten Philippine sovereignty.
KMU National Chairperson Jerome Adonis criticised what he described as foreign interference, saying, "The policies of the United States and other imperialist nations that continue to plunder our natural resources and continue to violate our territory and patrimony!"
Palatino also criticised Washington's role in the country, stating, "Their agenda is war! Their agenda is the plundering of our natural resources! What they want is to exploit cheap labour in the Philippines," before asking, "Do we agree to additional US military bases in the Philippines? Do we agree to give away our lands to foreigners?"
The protesters also opposed Pax Silica, a US-led supply chain initiative covering critical minerals, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
Under the initiative, the United States and the Philippines plan to build a 4,000-acre artificial intelligence and technology hub in New Clark City. Government officials say the project could attract investment and create skilled jobs, while protesters argue it would give foreign interests greater influence over Philippine land, labour and natural resources.
Rubio is in Manila from July 19 to 23 to attend the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference, the ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
