Cops block anti-EDCA protesters from going near US Embassy

Policemen armed with shields and truncheons on Friday blocked militants trying to hold a protest action outside the United States Embassy in Manila ahead of the 30th Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) Leaders' Summit this weekend.

Around 100 protesters marched along Kalaw Avenue, some 700 meters away from the US facility, only to be stopped by a number of policemen near Mabini Street.

Cops block protesters who tried to go to US Embassy to denounce the EDCA, demand demilitarization of South China Sea dispute. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/IavJ0L4z6o

— Virgil Lopez (@virgillopez) April 28, 2017

But the protesters, composed of members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Gabriela Women's Party and other militant groups, still went on with their program that lasted for an hour.

In a statement, the militant groups denounced the US' "continuing intervention" on the Philippines' security affairs through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

The 10-year defense deal that allows the increased rotational presence of United States troops in the country was signed three years ago during the state visit of then-US President Barack Obama.

“The US has been horrendously vulgar in violating our sovereignty and patrimony. Three years after signing EDCA, US military presence in the Philippines has become permanent,” KMU secretary general Jerome Adonis said.

KMU added that the increased US presence in Philippine waters only flares greater tension on the disputed West Philippine Sea by militarizing what could be a peacefully resolved territorial row.

“The dispute between the Philippines and China on the West Philippine Sea is none of the US’ businesses. Their increased presence and basing on Philippine seas militarizes the territorial row and puts Filipinos’ lives in peril,” said Adonis.

The KMU also condemned the US’ economic intervention in the Philippines by imposing "anti-worker neoliberal policies of cheap, contractual and docile labor through the ASEAN Summit."

“Pressing down of wages through legalized contractualization and wage rationalization is a US-dictated neoliberal attack against Filipino workers and people. The US imposes its economic hegemony in the ASEAN to assure greater profits to US big businesses by further exploiting workers through policies of cheap and contractual labor,” Adonis said.

The labor leader then called on President Rodrigo Duterte to fulfill his commitment for an independent foreign policy.

“Pres. Duterte should stay true to his position of an independent foreign policy and cut all unequal treaties with the US especially the EDCA," Adonis said.

Bayan, meanwhile, urged the leaders attending the ASEAN Summit to demand the de-escalation and demilitarization in the South China Sea disputes and withdrawal of both US and Chinese troops, vessels, and facilities in the resource-rich area.

"ASEAN member states and China can and should settle their differences without US intervention and without resorting to force, intimidation and military action against each other," Bayan said. — MDM, GMA News