Rights groups slam US ‘deterrence' policy as Marcos flies to meet Trump
The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) made the remarks as it called for an end to the 'increasing' US militarization in the country, warning it may 'bring more war and destruction to the Filipino people' and may 'further plunge the most marginalized in Philippines society into poverty'.
'The US military build-up in the Philippines is not defensive nor geared towards peace, but aggressive war preparations that put the Filipino people at risk to be collateral damage in a war with China. The Filipino people don't want to be a battlefield for a great power war,' said ICHRP chairperson Peter Murphy.
'ICHRP urges all nations in the region to deescalate the frightening military buildup towards war,' he added.
Marcos departed for Washington. D.C. on Sunday an official visit which includes a meeting with Trump. He said his visit aims to push for 'greater economic engagement' and to reaffirm the Philippine's 'commitment to fostering our long-standing alliances as an instrument of peace and a catalyst of development in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.'
The President's aircraft left Manila at 10:20 a.m.
Among the topics Marcos and Trump will discuss is the steep 20% tariff on Filipino goods entering the US, as Manila hopes to strike a mutually acceptable and beneficial tariff deal with the US.
'The imposition of tariffs, the maltreatment of Filipino migrants—unchallenged by Marcos Jr.—and the increasing US military presence in the Philippines will further plunge the most marginalized in Philippines society into poverty,' the ICHRP said.
'Peace in the Philippines and the Asia Pacific region will not come through the US 'deterrence' strategy. Genuine peace must be based on justice which necessitates the undoing of the unequal US-Philippines relationship most characterized by US economic coercion and military dominance of the country,' it added.
Imee Marcos
Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos urged her brother to 'exercise caution and protect Philippine national interests' in the trade talks with Trump.
'Trade must be a partnership, not a surrender. If we give away our rights today, we sell out the future of every Filipino,' the legislator said.
Early this month, the US government issued tariff notices to several trading partners including the Philippines, which he slapped with a 20% duty, higher than what he previously announced reciprocal tariff rate of 17% in April.
'As a sovereign country, the tariff agreement with the US should also be reciprocal. The US does not seem to regard us as a sovereign state, nor can we see the value of any so-called treaty allies any longer,' said Marcos.
'No president should sign away our sovereignty—not for gold, not for promises, not for alliances,' she said.
Data from the US Trade Representative showed that the US goods trade deficit with the Philippines stood at $4.9 billion in 2024, up 21.8% from 2023.
US total goods trade with the Philippines amounted to about $23.5 billion in 2024, with American goods exports to the Philippines amounting to $9.3 billion, up 0.4%, while goods imports totaled $14.2 billion.
The US is the Philippines' top destination for its goods in 2024 at $58.7 billion, accounting for a lion's share, or 80.2%, of the top 10 nations where it exports, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. — BM, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
20 minutes ago
- GMA Network
US supports PH military modernization efforts
'We do not seek confrontation, but we are and will be ready and resolute. We're proud to support our mutual economic vitality, including your efforts to modernize your armed forces and collective defense,' US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Pentagon on Monday. Photo by Sandra Aguinaldo, GMA Integrated News The United States has reiterated its support for the efforts of the Philippine government to modernize its military. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also pushed for the forging of 'a strong shield of real deterrence' between the two countries. 'We do not seek confrontation, but we are and will be ready and resolute. We're proud to support our mutual economic vitality, including your efforts to modernize your armed forces and collective defense,' Hegseth said in a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Pentagon on Monday. Marcos is on official visit to Washington D.C. and is also scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump on Tuesday. In his opening remark, Hegseth talked about further deepening the ties between the two nations. "Together, we must forge a strong shield of real deterrence for peace ensuring the long-term security and prosperity for our nations,' he said. Marcos was accompanied by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and Frederick Go, Presidential Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs. 'And the United States is committed to achieving peace through strength and willing to work with all nations who share this desire in the region,' Hegseth added. The US Defense Secretary also reaffirmed his commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and the Philippines. 'And together we remained committed to the Mutual Defense Agreement. And this pact extends to armed attacks on our armed forces, aircraft, or public vessels including our Coast Guards anywhere in the Pacific including the South China Sea,' Hegseth said. For his part, Marcos thanked the US government for its support. The Philippine President also mentioned that the partnership between the two countries has helped bring stability in the South China Sea. 'Again, I believe that our alliance, the United States and the Philippines, had formed a great part in terms of preserving the peace, in terms of preserving the stability of the South China Sea. But I would even go as far as to say in the entire Indo-Pacific region,' Marcos said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 hours ago
- GMA Network
Marcos tells agencies to speed up aid to flood victims
President Ferdinand Marcos said he has instructed concerned government agencies to ensure the safety of the people amid the floods in Metro Manila and several other provinces, and to deliver assistance to flood victims quickly. "I gave the instructions for them to work and coordinate to ensure that all our kababayans are out of harm's way, and that the relief goods are ready to be delivered," Marcos said in Filipino in a video message posted by the Presidential Communications Office. He was referring to the Office of Civil Defense, and the Departments of Transportation, Health, Science and Technology, Social Welfare and Development, Energy, Public Works and Highways and Interior and Local Government. Marcos is currently in the United States for a meeting with US President Donald Trump. He said medical teams should also be present during the distribution of relief goods. He added there should also be an unhampered supply of water and electricity. Marcos appleaed to the public to heed the instructions of authorities as rains continue to batter Metro Manila and nearby provinces. "The government is here to provide the services needed by our people," he said. Earlier, Malacanang said it approved the recommendation of the Department of Interior and Local Government to suspend classes and government work in Metro Manila, and the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Occidental Mindoro. In Memorandum Circular No. 89, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the class and work suspension in the said areas was also "Upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council relative to the continuous heavy rainfall." "However, agencies responsible for basic, vital and health services, preparedness and response duties must continue to remain operational to ensure continuity of essential government functions despite the declaration of work suspension," Bersamin added. The rains are mostly brought by the Southwest Monsoon or habagat, as even Severe Tropical Storm Crising, which is already out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility, also dampened the country this week.—LDF, GMA Intregrated News
GMA Network
11 hours ago
- GMA Network
First Lady Liza Marcos visits Bahay Kalinga in Saudi
First Lady Louise 'Liza' Araneta-Marcos visited the Bahay Kalinga temporary accommodations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia over the weekend. As part of her working visit there, the First Lady met with distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), mothers, and children, delivering the message that they were coming home. Her visit marked the first time a Philippine First Lady visited Bahay Kalinga, which is a temporary accommodation facility for OFWs awaiting repatriation in Saudi Arabia. During the visit, the First Lady listened to the stories of hardship, quiet strength, and hope of the OFWs. As directed by President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) facilitated the safe repatriation of 43 distressed OFWs and eight minor dependents, including those with medical needs. Each repatriate received financial and reintegration assistance — ?50,000 from DMW, ?10,000 from OWWA plus Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay aid, ?10,000 from DSWD, and ?60,000 from the Office of the President — along with travel luggage and essentials from the First Lady. The OWWA also provided transportation and temporary accommodation support for the OFWs who are returning to Visayas and Mindanao. Meanwhile, the First Lady also visited the Bagong Bayani ng Mundo Serbisyo Caravan, where she met OFWs availing themselves of services from frontline agencies. It was the first time a wide array of government agencies — including DMW, OWWA, PhilHealth, SSS, Pag-IBIG, DTI, Landbank, DSWD, PAO, and PSA — came together in one caravan to bring services to OFWs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
