U.S Out of the Philippines!

US imperialist war is on the rise. From its more than two year proxy war with Russia in Ukraine, to its backing of Israel's genocide of the Palestinian people, the US is exerting its military might as it tries to retain its weakening power across the globe. And while it has yet to break out in the region, we see the growing threat of full-blown inter-imperialist war in the Asia-Pacific as the US continues to encircle China economically, politically, and militarily.

The Asia Pacific region, where 40% of the global population resides, is the world’s largest market for US exports. Troubled by the current global crisis, the US looks towards Asia’s growing economies in the hope of tapping their markets to save its own economy. However, the growing influence of China in the region and beyond is considered a threat to US hegemony. In this context, the US continues to push its imperialist neoliberal agenda in the region, including its Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and so-called “first island chain.”

The Philippines is the largest recipient of US military assistance in the Asia-Pacific region. Since 2015, the US has delivered more than $1 billion worth of planes, armored vehicles, small arms, and other military equipment and training. Just last year, the Marcos regime handed four new EDCA bases to the US, bringing the total to nine. And while the Filipino people must also assert our sovereign rights against China's territorial incursions in the West Philippine Sea, turning to US imperialism for "protection" will never be the answer. When looked at in sum, the US is orchestrating the largest military build- up in the Philippines since the end of the Cold War.

The presence of US military on Philippine soil is a violation of the 1987 Constitution and a violation of national sovereignty. It is a source of extreme violence against peasant farmers, workers, women, trans people, Indigenous peoples, and children. It is also a major source of environmental destruction. In addition to the US military's direct impacts on communities surrounding base areas, the Philippine state has leaned on the US' continued financial support and arms deals to buy more weaponry and surveillance equipment to use against the Filipino people's revolutionary movement. It wastes the people's money on these counterinsurgency programs rather than addressing chronic poverty, landlessness, joblessness, and services for Filipinos in need, including those of us overseas.

With 2024 marking 125 years since the opening of the Philippine-American War, 25 years since the signing of the VFA, and 10 years since the signing of the EDCA, BAYAN USA has publicly launched its US Out of the Philippines Campaign.

US OUT OF THE PHILIPPINES!
US OUT OF EVERYWHERE!

Campaign Goals

  1. Expose and oppose the U.S.' intensifying militarization of the Philippines and its impacts on the Filipino people

  2. Build a mass movement among Filipinos and allies against U.S. militarism and military support for the Philippines

  3. Promote BAYAN USA's national democratic program as the alternative to U.S. backed war in the Philippines and Asia-Pacific

  4. Build a broad anti-war movement against U.S. militarism in the Asia-Pacific and everywhere

Campaign Demands

  1. End de facto U.S. basing and permanent troop presence in the Philippines!

  2. End all unequal military agreements between the U.S. and the Philippines!

  3. End joint U.S.-PH military war games and other war provocations!

  4. End U.S.-backed counterinsurgency in the Philippines! Hold accountable the U.S. military and US-funded Philippine military for violations against people’s rights, especially in the countryside.

  5. Cut U.S. security assistance to the Philippines!

Take Action

  1. Endorse the campaign: Support campaign activities by sharing updates and calls to action to your membership and your network. Your name and logo will be featured on our campaign page.

  2. Raise awareness: Facilitate this campaign primer with your organization, network, or community. You can also invite member organizations of BAYAN USA to help facilitate.

  3. Become a campaign volunteer: Help our campaign committee with research or production of public materials.

  4. Donate to campaign efforts: tinyurl.com/DonateUSOutPH

ENDORSERS

350 SEATTLE ANAKBAYAN USA CHICAGO ALLIANCE AGAINST RACIST AND POLITICAL REPRESSION (CAARPR) GABRIELA USA KABATAAN ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL COALITION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE PHILIPPINES - US CHAPTER MALAYA MOVEMENT USA MIGRANTE USA STUDENTS FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE - UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO VETERANS FOR PEACE - PORTLAND