THE COMMUNITIES AROUND the US military bases, or so-called “EDCA sites” and Balikatan 2024 venues saw widespread negligence, disinformation and repression by the reactionary government and US military. This is the conclusion of a fact-finding mission conducted by Bayan-USA and PINAS Peace mission in Central Luzon, Ilocos Norte and Marawi City. They publicized the results of their 3-week investigation on June 12.

Among the delegation’s findings were US stockpiling of suspected military equipment outside designated “EDCA sites” and American soldiers’ exploitation of the Cagayan people’s resources; collusion between private companies and the military; lack of notification to the Balikatan venues of Ilocos and Cagayan communities which traumatized and terrorized the civilian population; and militarization, harassment and Red-tagging against communities who were only defending their livelihoods. In Marawi City, local officials reported the disinformation regarding the military base and “economic zone” being built near ground zero using EDCA funds.

The delegation said all these are a threat to the freedom of Filipinos. The Marcos regime, as well as the US government under Joseph Biden, must be held accountable for the damage its militarism brings to the poorest sectors.