Thousands of Filipinos marched toward the US embassy in Manila on June 12, the Philippines’ 128th “Independence Day” to denounce US imperialism. Led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), they condemned the sham independence, especially amid the increasing US war games, the construction of a “Pax Silica hub,” and the deployment of US missiles, weapons, and military bases inside the country.

Hundreds of police blocked the bulk of the protesters at Kalaw Avenue and Maria Orosa St. Protest groups pulled down and dismantled the barbed-wire barricades. They held a program where the police stopped them.

Bayan-Cavite and Bayan-Southern Tagalog held programs in the town of Kawit, Cavite where independence was declared in 1898, and in Bacoor City. Police tried three times to block and stop the delegation that joined the action, which lasted around two hours. Suspected state elements also slashed the vehicles of the delegates.

Bayan local chapters also protested in the cities of Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao.

“The freedom that the Filipino people enjoy is fake as long as US imperialism controls our economy, politics, military, and culture,” Bayan said. The group added that the Marcos regime’s theme for the commemoration, “Freedom, Future, History,” is hollow, especially as it sells the country’s patrimony to foreign plunderers.

It said that the government’s puppetry to US imperialism has intensified under the Marcos Jr regime. The regime is also reportedly useless amid the crisis resulting from the US and Israel’s war of aggression against Iran and the entire Middle East. The Marcos regime continues to implement neoliberal policies such as the Oil Deregulation Law, EPIRA, and the collection of value-added tax (VAT) and excise tax.

Bayan called on the Filipino people to take the path toward achieving genuine freedom and democracy. “Let us once again demand an independent foreign policy, and we urge all Filipinos who love freedom to learn from history, honor our heroes, and save the country’s future by driving out all foreign bases and troops from our land,” it said.