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Filipinos Denounce Pro-US Ruling Elites, Rally for Independence

IN PICTURES: Indigenous movements, activists demand that the government follow through on pledges to end the U.S.'s domineering role in the Philippines.

Denouncing the neo-colonial nature of U.S.-Philippine bilateral relations, people's movements representing Indigenous and national minorities flooded the streets of Manila Friday, burning U.S. flags and calling for the termination of unjust agreements with their former colonizer. At stake is the future of the Mutual Defense Treaty, Mutual Logistics Support Agreement, Visiting Forces Agreement and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, as well as the militarization of civilian rural communities.

The protest comes on the heels of President Rodrigo Duterte's announcement to a Beijing audience Thursday that the Philippines would be "separating" from the United States both militarily and economically.

However, the march is also meant to repudiate local authorities who launched a bloody crackdown Wednesday on a similar rally in support of Duterte's pursuit of a more independent foreign policy. The march garnered world attention when a Philippine National Police truck plowed through the U.S. Embassy protest as it was ending, injuring 50 people. Jeepneys belonging to social movements were also apprehended while police meted out brutal treatment against Indigenous representatives.

Likewise, a Tuesday march by Indigenous protesters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City was greeted with water cannons by the Armed Forces of the Philippines as the newly-formed Indigenous and Moro alliance, Sandugo, demanded an end to the brutal counterinsurgency program Oplan Bayanihan and an end to military operations in Indigenous and minority communities.

In a statement by Anakbayan, the youth organization's Secretary-General Einstein Recedes stated: “The brutality of the dispersals at the U.S. Embassy and Camp Aguinaldo shows the outright contempt of the people’s rights to protest and free speech. These are not isolated incidents but are expressions of security forces’ persistent loyalty to the U.S., fascist mentality and deep-rooted hostility against any assertion of the people’s democratic rights.”

The human rights organization Karapatan also noted that police were acting on behalf of "U.S. Embassy officials who may just be incensed by the calls inscribed by the national minorities on the U.S. Embassy seal – because the utter truth of the matter is, they should really get the hell out of our country for all the crimes they perpetrated versus the Filipino people."

Despite Duterte's announcement of a more independent foreign policy, public figures and politicians in the Philippines have continued to stress their loyalty to the United States. On Friday, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV disparaged the president's Beijing visit, describing it as further proof that Duterte "MUST be a communist."

However, social movements have also warned that the present Filipino leadership, in its zeal to abandon the United States, should not abandon its right to sovereignty in a bid to secure an alliance with a rising China. Concluding, Anakbayan stated: "For too long, the Philippines has been led by bungling ruling elites and oligarchs (who) hang on the coat-tails of Uncle Sam. It is time that we stand on our two feet."

teleSUR takes a look at the continued fight by the youth, workers and oppressed nationalities for the dignity and independence of the long-subjugated and combative Philippine nation.

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Various activists' and Indigenous people's groups burn a mock U.S. flag as they hold a rally supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's independent foreign policy in metro Manila, Philippines Oct. 21, 2016.
Various activists' and Indigenous people's groups burn a mock U.S. flag as they hold a rally supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's independent foreign policy in metro Manila, Philippines Oct. 21, 2016. Photo:Reuters
Various activists and Indigenous people's groups march with a banner stating
Various activists and Indigenous people's groups march with a banner stating "End the reign of Imperialism! Fight for the right to self-determination" as they hold a rally supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's independent foreign policy in metro Manila, Philippines Oct. 21, 2016. Photo:Reuters
Various activists and Indigenous people's groups march with a banner stating
Various activists and Indigenous people's groups march with a banner stating "End the reign of Imperialism! Fight for the right to self-determination" as they hold a rally supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's independent foreign policy in metro Manila, Philippines Oct. 21, 2016. Photo:Reuters
An Indigenous person holds a placard as she joins a rally supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's independent foreign policy in metro Manila, Philippines Oct. 21, 2016.
An Indigenous person holds a placard as she joins a rally supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's independent foreign policy in metro Manila, Philippines Oct. 21, 2016. Photo:Reuters
Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte (C) leaves a hotel in Beijing, China, Oct. 21, 2016.
Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte (C) leaves a hotel in Beijing, China, Oct. 21, 2016. Photo:Reuters
An activist holds a placard as he joins a rally supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's independent foreign policy in metro Manila, Philippines Oct. 21, 2016.
An activist holds a placard as he joins a rally supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's independent foreign policy in metro Manila, Philippines Oct. 21, 2016. Photo:Reuters
Various activists and Indigenous People's group march as they hold a rally supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's independent foreign policy in metro Manila, Philippines Oct. 21, 2016.
Various activists and Indigenous People's group march as they hold a rally supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's independent foreign policy in metro Manila, Philippines Oct. 21, 2016. Photo:Reuters
An Indigenous person stands in front of a banner as he joins a rally supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's independent foreign policy in metro Manila, Philippines Oct. 21, 2016.
An Indigenous person stands in front of a banner as he joins a rally supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's independent foreign policy in metro Manila, Philippines Oct. 21, 2016. Photo:Reuters
An Indigenous person displays a placard as he joins a rally supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's independent foreign policy in metro Manila, Philippines Oct. 21, 2016.
An Indigenous person displays a placard as he joins a rally supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's independent foreign policy in metro Manila, Philippines Oct. 21, 2016. Photo:Reuters
Indigenous communities have long resisted the U.S. role in militarizing their communities. Here, demonstrators burn a mock U.S. flag during a rally opposing the U.S.-Philippines joint military exercises outside the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines on Oct. 4, 2016.
Indigenous communities have long resisted the U.S. role in militarizing their communities. Here, demonstrators burn a mock U.S. flag during a rally opposing the U.S.-Philippines joint military exercises outside the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines on Oct. 4, 2016. Photo:Reuters
On Wednesday, a police mobile patrol vehicle plowed against the continuing presence of U.S. troops in the Philippines in front of the U.S. Embassy in metro Manila.
On Wednesday, a police mobile patrol vehicle plowed against the continuing presence of U.S. troops in the Philippines in front of the U.S. Embassy in metro Manila. Photo:Reuters
Various activist and Indigenous people's groups clashed with riot police during a protest against the continuing presence of U.S. troops in the Philippines in front of the U.S. Embassy in metro Manila, Philippines Oct. 19, 2016.
Various activist and Indigenous people's groups clashed with riot police during a protest against the continuing presence of U.S. troops in the Philippines in front of the U.S. Embassy in metro Manila, Philippines Oct. 19, 2016. Photo:Reuters
Published 21 October 2016
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