MANILA. The Fourth of July US holiday would be met by Filipinos with protest actions at the US embassy.
“The Fourth of July is bastardized by the continued US domination and military presence in the Philippines. The 2015 National Military Strategy released Wednesday by General Martin Dempsey, the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is proof of this distortion of the concept of independence,” the Philippines Chapter of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS-Phils) said.
This was announced as the USS Lassen (DDG-82), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer of the US Navy, dropped anchor at Subic Bay, Zambales for a routine port visit.
The USS Lassen, one of seven destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, is currently on patrol in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
Americans are celebrating the Declaration of July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain.
“US imperialism has replaced British colonialism. Under the 2015 military strategy, US global presence enables Washington to intervene swiftly without any respect whatsoever to the values of independence and people’s sovereignty,” the ILPS-Phils added.
The June 2015 document now identifies Russia, Iran, and North Korea as threats to US national security. On the other hand, the US military supports “China’s rise” and encourages it to become “a partner for greater international security”.
In the maritime dispute with China, the US has abandoned its Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the Philippines as China occupied Scarborough Shoal in 2012 and is now aggressively reclaiming on seven reefs in the South China Sea.
“The MDT should be abrogated as well as the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The US will not defend us against China as it has not defended its own citizens and allies,” the ILPS-Phils said.
The 2015 US military strategy calls for: strengthening alliances with Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines and Thailand; deepening alliance with India and build partnerships with New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Bangladesh.
The international group joins social movements in the Philippines in preparing for anti-imperialist actions on July 4 as it calls on other peoples especially in the region to protest China’s expansionism, Japanese militarism and US imperialism.
Office Address:
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