Cagayan de Oro residents were alarmed at the sudden arrival of American soldiers in their city on March 13. They expressed unease over their presence amid the US assault on Iran and its escalation of war in the Middle East.

“Cagayan de Oro hosts one of the nine US military EDCA sites, the Lumbia Air Base,” the International League of Peoples’ Struggles–Philippines said. “People have every reason to be concerned, given the rising conflict in Iran and West Asia caused by US and Israeli aggression.”

Tension spread on social media after soldiers were seen entering several hotels in the city. Residents feared their city could be dragged into war. The 4th ID, which hosted the American troops, claimed they were only there for training in humanitarian aid and disaster response. The training is part of the US annual Balikatan war games conducted in various parts of the country.

“The Philippines is becoming a strategic outpost for the US in its imperialist wars because of the EDCA sites,” ILPS added. “This has nothing to do with disaster response. It brings geopolitical tensions right to Mindanao’s doorstep.”