Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said the Marcos Jr government is intensifying the use of repressive measures directed at critics, activists, and residents opposed to Pax Silica, the so-called Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), and other initiatives aimed at entrenching US dominance and military intervention in the Philippines.
This was evident in the two-day Luzon Economic Corridor Investment Forum when protests against the unabashed sell-out of the country’s patrimony and shameless puppetry of Marcos were violently blocked and attacked by the police and private security thugs.
On September 10, police from the Southern Police District and private security personnel of BGC violently dispersed a protest against the LEC Investment Forum organized by the US government. More than 27 activists sustained physical injuries for exercising their right to freedom of expression. The police have been absurdly claiming that their ranks got hurt during the protest even if they were carrying metal shields and batons.
The police arrested five paralegals who were assisting activists during the protest. These five individuals remain detained as of this writing. Police filed a case against three more individuals, including Bayan chair Teddy Casiño, which reflects the malicious intent of criminalizing dissent and the continued harassment of those speaking out against Pax Silica and LEC.
On September 11, the police deliberately delayed and disrupted the protest caravan against LEC and Pax Silica by conducting arbitrary checkpoints in Pampanga and Tarlac. Clark security personnel blocked the protest at the entrance of the former US Clark base. Police placed concrete barriers at the gates leading to New Clark City. Heavy police presence was deployed at the Bases Conversion and Development Authority satellite office in Capas.
The police are exposing their loyalty by aggressively “securing” foreign plunderers and war criminals while Filipino farmers and Ayta communities are being dispossessed and displaced from their lands.
Instead of addressing the people’s concerns about the grave impact of LEC and Pax Silica, Malacañang rejected the criticism as baseless and accused protesters of resorting to violence. Its dismissive attitude betrays its complicity in enabling colonial plunder, environmental destruction, and war escalation through these US-sponsored projects.
The police violence and Malacañang’s response are reminiscent of the tactics used during martial law to quell protests. They highlight the government’s desperation to undermine the people’s rising dissatisfaction against the worsening poverty and corruption, while Marcos and his cronies are treasonously promoting the imperialist agenda of their US patrons.
The announcement of the police that they will deploy 15,000 personnel during the coming September 21 protest is another reminder of the continued reliance on martial law measures to silence dissent.
Bayan calls on the people to defy the tyranny of the Marcos government by continuing to speak out and organize protests against the LEC, Pac Silica, and expanded US militarism in the country. Bayan calls for the release of the detained paralegals and the dropping of charges against activists who joined the protest in Taguig. Bayan said the fascist actions of the Marcos government and the police will be defeated by the people’s struggle to fight foreign domination, corruption, and feudal oppression.
Palayain ang LEC5!
Ibasura ang mga gawa-gawang kaso!
Philippines not for sale! Shut down Pax Silica!
Marcos tuta ng kano!
US out of the Philippines! War criminals and plunderers not welcome!
Imperyalismo ibagsak!