National-democratic groups protested this morning, July 30, in front of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City to oppose the 2+2 ministerial meeting held between the US and the Philippines. They denounced the presence of US Department of State secretary Antony Blinken and its Defense Department secretary Lloyd Austin, whom they called “war criminals.” The two officials spoke with Gilbert Teodoro of the DND and Enrique Manalo of the DFA.

“These war criminals, responsible for provoking proxy conflicts in the world, and are instigators of genocide in Palestine, are in Manila to expand military intervention and incitement of war in the country and in the region,” Bayan said. . “Their proposed (agreement) on sharing intelligence information, and planned purchase (of military materiel) highlight the subservience of the Philippines, while the Marcos Jr. government continues to push the US imperialist geopolitical agent.”

Bayan said the “help” US claims to provide the Philippines is actually self-serving. The “aid” will be used to build additional facilities within the country and to sell surplus armament products to the AFP.

The rallyists also condemned Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his mendicancy and servility to the US. “He has allowed the encroachment and intervention of foreign troops…, he has increased EDCA sites that undermine our sovereignty and harm people’s livelihoods, and he is echoing belligerent US rhetoric against China that further escalates tension and instability in the region,” Bayan said.

“The Marcos Jr. administration is revealing itself as a puppet of the US by allowing the warmongers Austin and Blinken into the country,” Kilusang Mayo Uno said.

“Let’s not allow the brazen intervention of US war criminals in our country!” the League of Filipino Students clamored. “As long as our country’s independent foreign policy remains bogus, our people will always lose out in the agreements entered into by the administration.”

On Sunday, July 28, there was a similar protest in Tokyo, Japan, where a 2+2 ministerial meeting was held between Blinken and Austin and Japanese officials. As in the Philippines, the Japanese shout that the two are not “welcome” in their country. They also call for the immediate liberation of Palestine.