Militants rally at US Embassy to denounce ‘fake’ Manila-Washington ties
MEMBERS of militant groups tried but failed to storm the US Embassy in Manila, on Wednesday, July 4, American Independence Day, after anti-riot police stopped them, according to a radio report.
The protesters were part of the League of Filipino Students (LFS), College Editors Guild of Philippines (CEGP), Kabataan Partylist, and student councils from different universities in Metro Manila, the report said.
The report quoted the rallyists as strongly condemning the Duterte administration’s “fake relationship” with the US government, criticizing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the Balikatan (shoulder-shoulder) exercises and the alleged “US military intervention in the country.”
The protesters dispersed at 11 a.m. but tore an American “skull-spangled” flag before leaving the site.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Edca is an agreement with the US that seeks to boost the defense capabilities of the Philippines, enhance “maritime security and domain awareness” and disaster response by “holding joint training exercises such as Balikatan and undertaking humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation.” CHRISTINE FABRO
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