More than 1,000 protesters joined demonstrations organized by various militant groups outside the United States Embassy on Independence Day against militarization and imperialism brought about by recent military partnerships of the Philippines with the United States.

Karapatan, an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, called out the Marcos’ regime’s ‘puppetry’ to the United States.

“Ironically at a time when Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s regime has pushed the boundaries of puppetry not only by reaffirming unequal pacts like the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty but more recent ones likes the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) through which the US maintains a network of quasi-bases where it is able to sustain the rotational presence of US troops and war material,” Karapatan said in a statement.

Karapatan also insisted that the celebration of Independence Day on June 12 was a ‘historical deception’ due to the US’ waging of a ‘brutal war of suppression against Filipino revolutionaries who refused to be subjected to a new colonial master.’

“For as long as the Philippines remains a US neo colony led by puppet presidents, June 12 will remain a bogus day of independence, and the freedom it symbolizes as torn and tattered as the leftover buntings and flaglets waved to mark the day,” Karapatan added.

Kabataan Partylist called for real freedom from self-centered interests of foreign powers, especially those of China and the US.

“We bring with us the calls for true freedom from self-centered interests of foreign nations who want to make our country the stage for their inter-imperialistic war, like China and especially imperialist US who continue to fund wars in different parts of the world, specifically the ongoing genocide done by Israel against our Palestine brothers and sisters,” Kabataan Partylist said in their statement.

Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) accused the United States of being the cause for low wages, contractualization, and the attacks on worker’s rights.

“The United States is the reason for the continued low wages of workers, the continued practice of contractual work, and the attacks on the rights of workers to continue the huge gains of large capitalists,” KMU said.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) condemned the Marcos government for promoting the geopolitical agenda of the US government and allowing the conversion of the Philippines into an extension of the US military network through the expansion of their bases under the EDCA.

“The US-Marcos tandem continues to use the maritime dispute with China as justification for preparing for war with the Philippines as a launching ground. They spread the colonial narrative that the only way we can defend our territory is to rely on the aid of our former colonizers,” Bayan said.

Bayan also alleged that the Marcos administration continued to downplay the effects of US imperialism in the country.

“They collude in denying and downplaying the historical injustices committed by US imperialism against the Filipino people,” Bayan added.

Cultural activities staged a street performance during the demonstration, to dramatize the crimes of the US government during the colonial period. Velle White/DMS