New coalition seeks halt to militarization

MEMBERS of a local anti-war coalition called for the halt of militarization in the Philippines through various military agreements such as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States.

Prof. Anna Malindog-Uy, one of the conveners, said that «speculations about a planned war» by the US against China underscores the «high stakes» involved in the military buildup in the region.

«Aligning closely with the US offers security benefits but also involves risks, particularly if tensions escalate into conflict,» Malindog-Uy said. «The challenge for the Philippines is to navigate these waters carefully and avoid becoming overly entangled in the strategic rivalries of superpowers.»

Soldiers look on as High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) batteries arrive for an airfield seizure exercise as part of the US-Philippines Balikatan joint military exercise at San Vicente Airport in Palawan on May 1, 2024. JAM STA ROSA / AFP

In a manifesto, the coalition said the militarization of the Philippines has profound implications for the country's sovereignty «and its role in the broader geopolitical landscape of the Asia-Pacific region.»

«As tensions between the US and China continue to simmer, the Philippines must carefully balance its strategic interests with its sovereignty concerns, ensuring that its alliances strengthen rather than diminish its position on the international stage,» the group said.

It added that achieving a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the South China Sea dispute through open-minded, respectful, and sincere dialogue and negotiations is imperative.

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Relying on the US' unreliable promises to confront or combat China will inevitably backfire, the coalition warned.

«Thus, it is imperative for all regional nations, including the Philippines, to prioritize the preservation of peace and stability in the South China Sea. Sustaining peace, stability and security within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations necessitates the involvement of Filipinos and Asians in mitigating the adverse repercussions of geopolitics, including wars and conflicts,» it said

Currently, the