Militant groups to hold protests vs. Trump

MANILA, Philippines — Protests will greet United States President Donald Trump the moment he arrives in the country for the 31^st ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings.

During the launch of #BanTrump campaign Tuesday, militant groups led by Bagong Makabayang Alyansa announced they will hold a three-day protest action against the controversial leader, saying Trump’s visit to the country will not be beneficial.

“Trump represents the worst aspects of US imperialism. His visit to the Philippines will bring more harm than good,” Bayan said in a statement.

The left-leaning group noted that the Trump only wants to drag the country into the conflict with North Korea, increase US military presence in the Philippines and engage in direct compact in Mindanao.

“Trump seeks to maintain the grossly unequal relations between the US and the Philippines. He is no friend of the Filipino people. He is right now the biggest threat to regional peace with his provocations against North Korea,” it said.

Filipinos should not expect Trump to speak out on human rights violation in the country as “his regime cares little about the issue,” Bayan also noted.

The members of Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives also expressed their support to the #BanTrumpPH protests.

“Hindi natin kailangan ng mga bagong kasunduan na nagpapatatag at nagpapalakas ng (We don’t need new agreements that will strengthen the) master and slave relationship between the Philippines and the government of the US represented by Donald Trump,” Anakpawis party-list Ariel Casilao said.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate noted that Filipinos should condemn, not celebrate the 50^th anniversary of ASEAN.

“Limang dekada na ‘yang ASEAN pero ‘yung sinasabi nila na ‘yung ASEAN countries mag-a-assert ng kanilang sariling kakayahan ay di pa rin nangyayari bagkus ang mga bansa sa ASEAN ay nagiging sunud-sunuran sa policies na tinatakda sa pangunguna ng Estados Unidos (ASEAN has been in place for five decades but ASEAN countries have yet to assert their capabilities because they are lackeys of the United States),” the solon said.

READ: Trump to extend stay in Philippines for East Asia meet

Trump will be in Manila on November 12 to attend the 50^th anniversary of ASEAN and the ASEAN-US summit the following day. He will extend his stay in the country to attend the East Asia Summit on November 14.

The US president is also expected to have a bilateral meeting with Duterte on Nov. 13.

Prior to the ASEAN summit in Manila, Duterte and Trump are also expected to meet in Danang, Vietnam on November 10 for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.

According to Philippine ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, one of the major issues Duterte hopes to discuss with Trump is narco-terrorism.

Protesters will burn a Trump effigy depicting “the US leader as the fascist, racist CEO of US imperialism” on November 13.

The groups will hold rallies outside the US Embassy, vicinity of the Philippine Internation Convention Center in Pasay City and in Clark Field in Pampanga.