On the 14th of September, Friends of the Filipino People in Struggle (FFPS) members held an internal information-sharing on the intensification of foreign militarism and other forms of domination in the Philippines. During this, member organization from all over the world shared reports on the relations between the countries and regions in which they are based, and the Philippines. The meeting ended in a photo action as part of the International League of Peoples’ Struggles (ILPS) September Weeks of Action Against US Military Bases.
In the reports from FFPS members in the US, Canada, Europe and the Asia-Pacific, there were a number of commonalities throughout all presentations. Most prominent were the issues of foreign militarism, mining and other exploitative foreign economic ‘investments,’ and the worsening situation faced by Filipino migrants in imperialist countries such as the US. Overall the reports provided important insights into the role of foreign domination in the Philippines, deeply implicating the various countries in which FFPS members are active.
Foreign militarism in the Philippines was highlighted as one of the main points of attention for FFPS as international solidarity allies. These provide concrete points to counter for campaigns, such as new Visiting Forces Agreements that were established between the Philippines and countries such as Canada and New Zealand, as well as the continuous deployment and stationing of military personnel by Germany, Japan, Australia and other countries in the Asia-Pacific, and up to the increase of military aid and arms sales to the Marcos regime by countries such as France, the United Kingdom and others. Overall there is a drastic increase of foreign militarism in the Philippines by various countries, with the US as foremost imperialist power.
The United States has continued to consolidate itself as main imperialist power operative in the Philippines, through increased military support, economic policies such as tariffs, and other forms of imperialist domination. With at least nine official military bases and plans to hold more than 500 US-PH military exercises in the next year, the US ensures continuous deployments of thousands of foreign troops. This constitutes a direct infringement on the Filipino people’s right to self-determination.
Overall the countries mentioned above and others are part of the US-led pivot to Asia.This results in billions of USD being invested into military aid and arms deals with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, and at present with the Marcos regime. These materiel and ground troops are used not only in war exercises or in supposed ‘defense’ against China, but also to attack the Filipino people themselves in the regime’s brutal counterinsurgency. There is overwhelming evidence of the complicity of the US government in counterinsurgency operations. [link to statement or more info]
It was highlighted throughout all presentations that this increased foreign militarism in the Philippines is often justified through the fake “counter-terrorism” framework. Several countries, including the US, Canada, France, the Netherlands and others, use the disguise of “terrorism” to justify their military participation and build-up in the region. However, it has been proven time and again that that narrative is false and that US imperialism is the number one terrorist.
A further common thread amongst all reports are the unequal economic relations between the Philippines and foreign powers, which are indicated by a number of exploitative foreign economic investments, particularly in destructive industries such as mining. Half of the world’s publicly-listed mining companies are based in Canada, and many of these operate in the Philippines. From Canada to the US, from Australia to New Zealand, and from France to other countries in Europe, members of FFPS reported that all of these are involved economically in the Philippines. Their projects in general are exploitative and destructive for local Filipino communities, whilst they bring super-profits to the foreign companies themselves. Amongst these are also bogus infrastructure projects , such as the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), which has ramped up foreign investments. Infrastructure projects such as these are notorious for its corruption opportunities.
At the same time, these countries heavily exploit and oppress migrants in their own economies, including Filipino migrants that had to leave the country as a result of the foreign-dominated economic system in the Philippines. In all countries, and especially in the US and the United Kingdom, FFPS members took note of the worsening situation for migrants which includes increased exploitation and also intensified attacks and anti-migrant sentiments being fanned by the ruling classes. As anti-imperialist solidarity organization, members of FFPS are involved in local campaigns in support of migrants and around migrant issues.
Overall the meeting was fruitful in discussing the involvement of various countries in the Philippines, and the general situation of militarism in the Philippines and how the Filipino people are resisting.
Concretely the FFPS members expressed their readiness to support the Filipino communities facing suppression and a de-facto martial law through solidarity missions and other forms of direct support. The groups are continuing to look at more opportunities for increased solidarity support with the Filipino people in the midst of intensified repression.
The meeting also served as a point of unification on the importance of further research; as part of exposing and opposing the role of the various countries in which FFPS members are based. Members expressed the need to continue building campaigns around these issues; rallying people in anti-imperialist campaigns against the support by their countries for the Marcos government and the roles that companies based in those countries play in the exploitation and oppression of the Filipino people.
To conclude the meeting FFPS members vowed to increase their readiness and action to respond to these urgent issues and further intensifications of militarism in the Philippines, as US-led war-mongering and build-up for war in the Asia-Pacific region continues.
As international solidarity activists, FFPS stands united with the peoples of the world against US imperialism and all foreign domination in the Philippines, with the Filipino people’s struggles for national and social liberation.