Students condemn US meddling in sea dispute on Fil-Am Friendship Day

A group of militant students staged protest action in front of the United States Embassy during the Filipino-American Friendship Day to condemn what it consider as US meddling in the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China.

In a press statement on Saturday, the League of Filipino Students (LFS) said the US government "used the maritime dispute as pretext" to advance its interests in the region.

Also, the group said that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between Washington and Manila allows mighty America to have a military presence in the Philippines.

“[The EDCA] will only make the Philippines a military outpost for the US’ rebalancing or pivot to East Asia. It will only serve to protect and advance US’ dominance in the region,” said LFS national spokesperson Charisse Bañez.

The Philippines used to celebrate its Independence Day on the fourth of July, coinciding with the US Independence Day.

But late President Diosdado Macapagal changed the Philippine Independence Day to June 12, coinciding with the declaration of the country's independence from Spain.

In the US, authorities tightened security for the holiday festivities. — Marisse Panaligan/LBG, GMA News