In commemoration of Independence Day, activists from different youth and minority groups staged a rally last June 12, at the United States (US) Embassy and Chinese Consulate, bannering issues on national sovereignty brought about by the alleged influence of China and the US on the Duterte administration.
Beginning at Kalaw Ave. in front of Rizal Park, the two-part protest started with a march toward the embassy where protesters voiced out against the supposed imperialist nature of the US, which they claim is evidenced by the country’s exploitation of natural resources and the continuing presence of American troops in the Philippines. The Philippine National Police, however, prevented protesters from getting near the embassy.
Protesters then mobilized to the Makati Fire Station en route to the Chinese Consulate. Led by Neri Colmenares under Pilipinong Nagkakaisa para sa Soberanya, representatives from different partylists gave speeches criticizing the current administration’s relations with China.
Blind independence
In Colmenares’ speech, he claimed that the Philippines is being taken advantage of by the United States and China. “Araw ng Kalayaan pero hindi malaya ang mga mangingisda sa Scarborough [Shoal] dahil tinataboy sila ng mga barko ng Tsina. Araw ng kalayaan pero dinidikta tayo ng Tsina sa mga pautang natin, na Tsina ang kontraktor, Tsina ang mangagawa at Tsinong batas ang namamayani sa mga pautang na ito,” Colmenares said.
(Today is Independence Day, but our fishermen are not free to fish in Scarborough [Shoal] because they are being driven away by Chinese vessels. Today is Independence Day, but China is dictating loans to us where Chinese contractors, Chinese workers, and Chinese law benefit from these loans.)
Similarly, Teddy Casiño of Bayan Muna noted that every June 12, their group continued to fight against what he called “blind freedom”. “Tuluy-tuloy ang pahihimasok ng mga imperyalistang bansa sa ating Inang Bayan. Kung noon isang mangagahasa, na kung saan ang Estados Unidos, ngayon dalawa na sila—ang imperyalistang Estados Unidos at imperyalismong Tsina,” Casiño stated.
(Imperialist nations continue to intrude on our Motherland. Before, we had one harasser in the form of the US, but now there are two of them—the imperialist US and imperialist China.)
Government at fault
Protesters not only expressed their distraught toward foreign nations but also lamented the current administration’s relations with these countries.
Among those that voiced their concern at the US embassy was League of Filipino Students member Kara Taggaoa who said that Duterte’s way of handling national issues and international relations led to the struggles of the Filipino youth, farmers, and workers.
Likewise, Colmenares also claimed that Duterte’s current dealings with China will have a negative impact on the country by 2022. “Ang lahat ng ginagawa ng gobyernong ito ay batay sa pagtingin ni Pangulong Duterte na dapat matikluhod ang Pilipinas sa Tsina. Kung ano man ang ginawa ng Tsina, ano man ang binigay ng Tsina para kumampi si Pangulong Duterte sa kanila, ay di pa natin alam. Pero ang mga pautang na kanyang ipinaglalaban ay hindi ito karapat dapat sa atin dahil tayo ay babaon sa utang ng Tsina at lalo tayong madidigtahan nito.”
(All government actions are based on Duterte’s view that the Philippines should kneel before China. Whatever China had done for or had given to President Duterte to side with them is unclear. But the loans he is pushing for are unacceptable because it will make us greatly indebted to China.)
Minorities affected
Several minority groups outside of Metro Manila also participated in this year’s Independence Day rally.
Pamalakaya representative Bobby Roldan and KATRIBU member Kakay Tolentino shared the stage to express how foreign nations affected their lives. Roldan narrated that fishermen in Zambales have difficulty doing their job because of the presence of Chinese vessels. He also claimed that the Philippine Coast Guard promised to help them, but they never delivered on that pledge. On the other hand, Tolentino shared that tribal groups were harmed by the Chico and Kaliwa Dam projects.
Congresswoman Eufemia Cullamat, a member of the Manobo tribe, delivered her speech saying that we should not waste the lives of our forefathers who fought for our freedom. “Walang pang-aapi sa kultura. Lupang ninuno, depensahan, ipaglaban,” she chanted.
(No to the oppression of our culture. Land of our ancestors—protect it, fight it.)
with reports from Ramon Castañeda
