On the 123rd Independence Day: Duterte is subservient to China and the US
Democratic sectors commemorated the 123rd Independence Day on June 12 by mounting a protest in front of the China Embassy in Makati City.
They condemned Rodrigo Duterte for selling out the West Philippine Sea to China in exchange for bribes, loans and favors. They also criticized his scheme for charter change to give foreign corporations the power to fully own enterprises in strategic industries, as well as land in the country.
Rallyists coverged at Quezon City and Rajah Sulayman in Manila before going to the embassy. Similar mobilizations were held in Zambales, Cavite, Cebu, Bacolod and Davao.
After two days, Duterte once again suspended the junking of the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the US for the third time. This came after the regime’s submission of a new agreement which contains more pro-US provisions. Among these is a key proposal which allows the US to use Philippine territories facing the South China Sea to stockpile its missiles and weapons to purportedly prevent Chinese attacks. This is a component of the Pacific Deterrence Initiative which aims to protect US interests in the region. In exchange to the territories that will be surrendered by the regime are weapons and military aid promised by the US government to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.