No to balikatan exercises!
No to military escalation between the US and China!
Malaya Movement USA statement on the Balikatan Military Exercises
The Malaya Movement USA unequivocally asserts Philippine sovereignty against the Balikatan Military Exercises between the Philippines and the United States. We in the Malaya Movement USA condemn any provocation for escalation of hostilities and war mongering between the two superpowers. It is on this basis that we stand firmly that the Philippines does not stand to gain from Balikatan.
Instead we call on the Philippine government, and encourage other nations in the Asia Pacific to condemn the warmongering and military build up that is taking place. We demand that the Philippines and other nations in the Asia Pacific take a non-aligned position against the escalating rivalry between the United States and China. We believe that neither the United States nor China has the best interest of nations like the Philippines.
We view the Balikatan exercises in the context of the escalating rivalry between two contending superpowers: the United States and China. It is unconscionable that Marcos Jr. would claim that United States presence in the country won’t lead to further tensions with China. Increased militarization in the Asia-Pacific region by the United States and China puts the Philippines and other countries in the region in between the crossfire of the two military powers.
The assertion that Balikatan and increased United States military violence are here to protect the Philippines is a lie. The United States’ latest gun show, which Marcos Jr. is unfortunately weak enough to indulge, is meant to one-up China in the two countries’ rivalry over Taiwan. To bill this move that will trigger then drag the Filipino people into WWIII as “protection” is vile.
The 2+2 ministerial meeting between the United States and the Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Sec. Manalo and Sr. Undersecretary Galvez produced a trojan horse of promises to the Filipino people. They talk about “environmental security” when any decent research into U.S. military presence reveals a poison trail of environmental damage. They talk about “economic security” yet are ready to sacrifice the livelihood of countless poor fishing communities without alternatives whatsoever. They talk about “rules-based order” when the Philippines’ very own security forces use foreign aid to wreak terror among civil society and its poorest citizens.
The Malaya Movement USA firmly stands for the genuine security of the Filipino people. We demand an end to the Balikatan exercises. We want the People’s Republic of China and the United States government to de-escalate and demilitarize the Asia Pacific and respect the sovereignty of the Philippines. We urge the Filipino people to resist falling for this farce and be steadfast in urging the Marcos Jr. administration to take a non-aligned position to ensure the safety and autonomy of the Filipino people.
Defend Philippine Sovereignty!
No to military exercises in the Philippines! No to Balikatan!
Junk EDCA and VFA!
No to military escalation between the US and China!
