One
hundred and eighteen (118) years ago, the people’s victory resonated
when the Philippines was set free from Spanish control and subjugation. However,
the United States of America had taken over the control of the country in
collusion with local elites. Despite its declaration of Philippine Independence
on July 4, 1946, the Philippines has remained a puppet that continue to serve the
US interests. As such, the Philippines
is not truly independent as colonization of the imperialist US has just shifted
to another form.
In
the commemoration of the 118th Year of Philippine Independence, the
Alyansa ng Kabataang Mindanao para sa Kapayapaan (AKMK) and the Liga ng
Makabagong Kabataan (LMK) will launch a protest rally in Iligan City to call
for the abolition of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the
Philippines and the United States and all other international agreements and
treaties that undermine Philippine sovereignty and safety.
The
existing military relations between the United States and the Philippines put
the Filipinos in the losing end. The case of Jennifer Laude and the people who
were killed in the Mamasapano carnage were among the collateral damages of such
military relations.
The
aggression of China over the West Philippine Sea is gradually intensifying as
US strengthens its presence in the Philippines thereby endangering the fisher folks
and the entire country’s safety.
As
the Philippine economy is tied up to the neo-liberal order propagated by the
neo-colonial powers to control their former colonies, a majority of the people
are chained in debt, poverty and hunger. In the Philippines, more than 26% of
the population is constantly living in poverty while economic growth peaks and
even highest in Asia in the recent records. This is because the control of
resources continues in the hands of the few; laws on industries, land ownership
and exploitation resources favour the interests of the business elites. Export-oriented and import-dependent economy
diminishes the self-sufficiency of the country.
The
increasing aggression of liberalization, privatization and deregulation brought
about by the same global economic order continue to jeopardize the future of
the youth. Military spending increases each year but education has become
expensive while job opportunities have become sparse forcing millions of
Filipino to leave the country in search of greener pasture.
As
we aspire and participate in building a free, just and independent Philippines,
we also demand to:
1.)
Scrap
EDCA and all other international agreements, treaties and national policies
that undermine Philippine Sovereignty, Safety, and Economic Sufficiency;
2.)
Withdraw
the presence of US and other foreign military troops from the Philippine soil;
3.)
Serve
justice to all the victims of foreign military aggression; and
4.)
Increase
education budget and cut-down military spending.
Rena Marie Gahum Niño
Omelio
AKMK Secretary
General LMK
Sec Ge n
Email Address: akmk_peace@yahoo.com Email
Address: lmkabataan@yahoo.com
Contact No. :
09754585681 Contact
No.: 09277749028
Website: http://akmkforum.weebly.com/ Blog:
http://lmkportal.blogspot.com/
