In the coming days, US President Donald Trump is expected to visit the Philippines for the East Asia Summit. As the youth, students, and future of this nation, we strongly oppose this visit. US imperialism has brought nothing but wars and destruction in its neocolonies such as ours.
In the Northern Mindanao region alone, lives have been displaced in ways much worse than ghosts and mythical tragic stories. The US-instigated war on terror has affected and displaced over 600,000 Maranaw in the Marawi crisis. In Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon areas, the “lumad” were driven off, harassed, arrested, and even killed due to corporate aggressions in their land. Even the vendors of Cogon market in Cagayan de Oro are battling the unjust and inhumane demolition of the Road and Traffic Administration or RTA, which prioritizes “clean and orderly roads” rather than the meager living of farmers and urban poor.
All these socioeconomic and political problems are caused by neoliberal policies that rule our country. The aggravating crisis and unabated price hike of basic commodities are brought by this neoliberal globalization. Oil deregulation law, jeepney phaseout, tax reform program, privatization of basic industries like water and electricity supply, tuition and other school fee increase and K-to-12 program in education are the faces of neoliberal policies.
There is more to come with the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or Edca, which allows the installation of US military facilities in Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro. The presence of the US military will also open the market to prostitution like what happened in Olongapo/Subic that will endanger our women and children. Knowing that the United States is launching wars all over the world, we face grave threats of going into wars that are not even ours.
We are their victims—we are the ones deprived of our basic rights in exchange of their profit from hospitalization to education, and other social services. All these problems are a manifestation of how this “puppet government” conspired with its “imperialist boss” to exploit the nation and the people.
We shall not forget how our ancestors heroically fought for our land. We shall not honor any foreign intervention much more US imperialism that preys on the poverty and hunger of the people to continue its hegemonic rule. To let them take over our lands is a betrayal to our ancestors and heroes.
We condemn the government’s failure and neglect of its responsibility toward the Filipino people.
We challenge the youth and students, and other progressive and concerned individuals to stand with us. Be one with our call to ban Trump. Let us show the No. 1 imperialist power in the world our greatest indignation and opposition.
KRISTINE CABARDO, chair, League of Filipino Students, Northern Mindanao Region, lfsnmr@gmail.com