Hundreds of members of national-democratic organizations marched to the US Embassy on April 9 to denounce the US imperialist war against Iran and call for the immediate withdrawal of American bases and troops from the country. The day was US President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran’s surrender or face being rained with bombs. The US backed down from this ultimatum after Iran responded with its own threat of bombing all US and allied facilities in the Middle East.

Led by Bayan, protesters condemned the US and Israel’s war of aggression and relentless threats against Iran and its people. They expressed doubt of the US’ supposed intent for a ceasefire with Iran. In fact, only days after reports of talks between the US and Iran, negotiations collapsed following the relentless US and Israeli bombings in Lebanon, violating one of Iran’s demands for the talks.

Protesters also denounced the US-Marcos regime for dragging the Filipino people into endless imperialist wars.

“This war is not distant,” Bayan declared. “it is already hitting Filipino families.”

The surge in oil prices and basic goods has directly affected more than two million Filipino migrant workers in the Middle East.

“This is an imperialist war, and it always strikes the poor,” Bayan said.

Youth from the League of Filipino Students joined the protest and demanded a stop to the US’ Balikatan war games carried out in various parts of the Philippines.

“Marcos is throwing us deeper into war and crisis because of his subservience to the US. We call on Filipinos to unite against the US war of aggression that inflicts suffering to the whole nation!” the student group stated.

ACT Teachers Representative and Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio reminded that April 9, marked as Day of Valor, is not simply a story of heroism but also “a lesson in the imperialist surrender and US’ abandonment of the Philippines,” especially amid the subservience of the Marcos regime to the US.

“[This proves] that an imperial power will always sacrifice a colony when its own priorities shift,” Tinio said. He referred to the Middle East, which clearly shows how the US treats and abandons states that uphold its dominance in the region once Iran’s attacks hit US military bases and American businesses there.

“Marcos Jr is gambling with our people’s lives by turning the Philippines into a US forward base,” he said. “If war erupts, we will not be protected—we will be used.”

Protesters called on the people to unite and stand firm against imperialist wars.

“The struggle for peace is inseparable from the struggle against imperialism,” Bayan declared. “We stand with all nations and peoples resisting domination, and we reaffirm our commitment to building a just and lasting peace grounded in sovereignty, dignity, and genuine independence.”