Militant groups marked Filipino-American Friendship Day with a protest near the US Embassy in Manila on Thursday.
Activists under the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan held the protest to oppose a plan to give US forces more access to Philippine bases and military facilities.
“We affirm our friendship and solidarity with the American people but reject the special relations being claimed by the US government. True friends do not take advantage of your weakness, violate your laws, dump toxic wastes on your territory and meddle in your internal affairs,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes said.
Earlier this week, Bayan filed a petition with the Supreme Court asking it to issue Temporary Environmental Protection Orders to keep US ships from holding port calls in the Philippines.
They said allowing US Navy ships as well as military exercises with US troops pose a threat to marine life. The USS Guardian ran aground at Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park in January. Bayan said guidelines need to be drawn up before allowing US Navy ships back into the Philippines.
Bayan also used the Fourth of July protest to express solidarity with fugitive whistleblower Edward Snowden for leaking information on US government surveillance on its own citizens
“Know that despite the difficult circumstances, you have friends in these islands, as well as Filipino friends in the US and many parts of the world. Know that we support your courageous act and are thankful for it,” Bayan said.
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Story: AFP
Photos: Ted Aljibe / AFP
