HEAD joins #Hindipendence day protests

Press Release: June 12, 2018

Health Alliance for Democracy, an organization of doctors, nurses, midwives, health professionals, hospital workers and community health workers, health science students and health advocates, ask the Duterte administration, what independence is there to celebrate?

Amidst the surge in prices of commodities and failure to deliver promises, the Duterte administration sets another bad precedent by conniving with two superpowers.   Both of which only seek to benefit from unequal deals with the Philippines, while strengthening their influence in the Southeast Asian region.

On one hand, the US builds up its military might on Philippine soil, establishing bases and accumulating weapons in restricted areas that even our own forces and government has no jurisdiction on. US forces have also been involved during the Marawi conflict. Joint military exercises under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, Visiting Forces Agreement, and Mutual Defense Treaty allow the influx of armed US personnel into the country. To add salt on open wounds, US forces who commit crimes in the country are neither tried nor jailed under Philippine law, but are rather kept safe on US bases in the Philippines. The US still refuse to be responsible over their toxic wastes, which they dumped in our lands and seas.

On the other is the Chinese occupation of Panatag shoal and other nearby islands in the West Philippine Sea. Chinese military bases and landing pads have been completed, and China even boasts about these illegal structures by conducting tours exclusive for Chinese citizens. While the Duterte administration reassures the Filipino people that Chinese missiles are not directed towards the Philippines, there is no assurance that it won't be in the future. Last Friday, a Chinese military aircraft also landed at Davao International Airport to supposedly refuel. Worse, fishermen in the West Philippine Sea can no longer fish freely and are harassed by the Chinese coast guard as if we are aliens in our own seas. On top of these, Chinese contractors have exclusively bagged most projects under Duterte's build build build program.

These violations over our country's sovereignty only keep piling up as the Duterte administration continues its economic policy in favor of foreign interests. Allowing both superpowers to strengthen their military in Philippine territory puts Filipinos and the country under serious threat. Military presence from both countries allows them to keep their demands up, and the Duterte administration does nothing but oblige to unequal trade and economic deals.

HEAD therefore joined multi-sectoral organizations, peasants, workers, youth and other organizations on June 12, Independence day. The groups trooped in front of the Chinese Embassy to condemn China's continuing occupation of Philippine islands. Likewise, the health group joined the march towards the US Embassy to protest the establishment of new military bases and joint military exercises.

Filipinos have yet to enjoy genuine independence, and instead we suffer from more economic and political restrictions brought by China and US meddling with our policies. The Filipino people must continue to resist foreign encroachment and influence on Philippine soil and seas.##