PH Independence Day rallyists protest against US, China ‘interference’

Progressive groups, including the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), rallied on Independence Day against the continuous meddling of foreign powers, such as China and the United States, on Philippine sovereignty.

According to Marisol Abdurahman’s “24 Oras” report, members of Bayan staged a protest in front of the Chinese Embassy in Makati. They marched towards the US Embassy afterward but were stopped by the police at Kalaw Street.

The protesters said they were against the US’ alleged interference in the Philippines, as well as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

“Mali kung iaasa natin na itataguyod ng US o ng China ang ating soberanya,” Bayan Secretary-General Renato Reyes said.

(It’s wrong to rely on the US and China to defend our sovereignty.)

“Dapat nating piliin yung interest ng mga Pilipino at dapat nating tutulan ang anumang klase ng panghihimasok na ginagawa ngayon ng dalawang nag-uumpugang higante kasi tayo yung naiipit eh, tayo yung nasasagasaan, tayo na aagrabyado,” he added.

(We should choose the interests of Filipinos and we should object to any form of interference by the two world powers because we are the ones caught between them, we are the ones getting run over, we are the ones being put at a disadvantage.) — Sundy Mae Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News