Over the past few days, several pro-US politicians and officials of the US-Marcos regime have ganged up against Chinese embassy officials in the Philippines, accusing them of being “unwelcome guests” and of “interference.” While this drew public attention, the US military and naval forces have been quietly flourishing in the country, continuously strengthening their military presence on land and sea around the Philippines.

A heated war of words erupted after Cmdr. Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard-West Philippine Sea (PCG-WPS), spread mocking images that ridiculed China’s leader, contrary to standards of mutual respect among nations. This provoked a strong reaction from Chinese officials, who used strong language to demand disciplinary action against the PCG official.

Tarriela’s actions were calculated to provoke China. He did this a day before the “bilateral consultation,” a dialogue initiated by China in Xiamen City. His role has always been to fan the flames of antagonism against China since he was appointed as spokesperson of PCG-WPS in 2023, following his training in Washington.

He was supported by several senators led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros. She gathered 15 senators to sign a resolution condemning China, along with discussions among some senators to declare the Chinese embassy official “persona non grata.” They seemed to be burning the bridge of diplomacy.

Hontiveros is known to be an Amboy and instigator of anti-China sentiments. She is seeking US support for her 2028 ambitions. She and the Senate are hypocrites in claiming “defense of sovereignty” in their condemnation of China. In contrast, the Senate did not react to the signing last January 15 of the Philippines-Japan Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement. In 2024, it ratified the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA). Both agreements blatantly undermine the country’s independence, allowing the Japanese military to move freely in and out of the country, as part of its role as a US partner in the “first island chain” strategy to encircle China.

The Senate has never collectively stood up against the increasing number of US military bases in the Philippines under EDCA, or against the secret US facilities in Palawan, Ilocos, Aurora, Cagayan, and other places, or against the US deployment of long-range missiles and other war matériel in secret locations in the country. It has been silent on the entry and sailing of US warships in the country’s territorial waters and their passage between Philippine island straits, and on the mooring of giant US naval vessels in the country’s exclusive economic zone.

It has also not opposed the US’s continuous preparation for war and deployment of increasing numbers of military equipment and troops in the Philippines. It has not spoken out against the US plan to “sell” the EDCA sites in the Philippines to Taiwan, or the plan to turn the Davao Gulf into a “refueling hub” to service US naval forces. The Senate has also kept quiet on the plan to build an ammunitions factory in Subic, which forms part of the US plan to use the country as a base for its war operations in Asia.

While some politicians and officials of Marcos are making anti-China statements, the US quietly established a new Army Rotational Force-Philippines, under its Task Force Philippines. Together with the AFP and military forces of its allied countries, naval maneuvers will again be conducted within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

While anti-China tirades have intensified in the Philippines in favor of the US, criticism of US imperialism has grown stronger around the world. This came after the US invaded Venezuela and kidnapped its president, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. This was followed by the declaration to seize Greenland, threats to Mexico, Colombia, and Panama, stirring up trouble and threatening to invade Iran, and increased pressure on countries that are friends or trade oil with Cuba.

These actions have exposed the hypocrisy of the US’s claim of promoting an “international rules-based order.” The fascist madman Trump made it clear that “America First” or US interests are the true driving force behind this, as he seeks to gain control over oil resources and raw materials around the world. To avoid being bound by international law, the US has undermined the United Nations by withdrawing from its commissions and refusing to pay its dues. Trump established the Board of Peace, to replace the supposedly useless UN, to give the US and Israel international legitimacy for their actions in the Gaza Strip.

The US has been condemned by various countries, even by its closest imperialist allies. These actions have also been criticized by the American people, along with widespread protests against the fascist Trump regime, including cases of state-sponsored murder and the imprisonment of tens of thousands of immigrants. Trump also faces widespread outrage due to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of crimes related to the abuse of women and children.

In the Philippines, the global criticism of the US is being deliberately downplayed by US-friendly media, along with an orchestrated attack against China. China is being portrayed as a “threat” to Philippine sovereignty, to justify the repeated lies that the Philippines needs US help to defend itself. The real threat to the Philippines is the growing possibility of US military aggression in Asia, with Japan, Australia, and other powerful allies. This will drag Filipinos into an international conflict that run contrary to the people’s interests.

It is imperative that the people now fight for genuine national sovereignty. The patriotic mass movement must be strengthened to fight for the dismantling of US military bases, the expulsion of all foreign imperialist troops, and the end of US military intervention in the country.