THE militant youth group Anakbayan strongly opposes the upcoming Balikatan exercises.
With 12,000 US troops and 5,000 from the AFP, Balikatan 2023 is set to be the largest yet, being double the size of last year's Balikatan.
US military's presence does not address the problems of Filipinos, such as the economic crisis and a lack of quality education. It also proves how the current administration sees US interests as "number one" over those of Filipinos.
"Wala ni isang problema ng mamamayan ang matutugunan ng Balikatan. Pagpapatunay lang ito ng pagiging No.1 ng US interest at pagwalang-bahala ni Marcos Jr. sa immediate needs ng taumbayan. Hindi matutugunan ng presensya ng US ang kawalan ng trabaho, mababang sahod, at kawalan ng libre, dekalidad, at ligtas na edukasyon. Imbis makatulong sa mga Pilipino, ang nagpapatuloy na pakikipag-sabwatan ni Marcos Jr. sa mga Kano ang lalong magpapapala sa krisis."
The militant youth group stands firmly against increased US military presence as a symptom of prolonged foreign dominance over the Philippine economy and politics. For the youth, the Balikatan exercises are also a direct attempt to further stir up the rising tensions between the US and China towards a war for control over the resources of the Philippines and neighboring countries–something which could happen with Filipinos at a loss.
"Nag-aambahan ang US at Tsina dahil parehas nilang pinag-aagawan ang mga likas na yaman ng Pilipinas at ng mga karatig-bansa nito. Nangangamba ang kabataan na mahatak sila sa giyera para gamitin ng US sa makasarili nilang interes."
Anakbayan ends the statement by calling on their fellow youth to get organized and fight against all attempts by the "puppet" Marcos administration and the United States to further enrich themselves:
"Hindi bulag ang kabataan! Lantaran ang pagpapakatuta ni Marcos Jr. sa United States! Nakikita ng kabataan na ang Balikatan exercises ay hakbang tungo sa giyera at pagpapatuloy ng pang-aalipin sa sambayanan! Handa silang kumilos hanggang sa tuluyang pagkamit ng pambansang demokrasya na malaya sa interes ng mga dayuhan at gahaman!" (Anakbayan National chairperson Jeann Miranda)