By Student Christian Movement of the Philippines national chairman Kej Andres
The meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, July 22, only brews “unpeace” for the Filipino people affected by the recent typhoon. We need flood-preventing infrastructure; climate accountability from the US, the biggest polluter on the planet; and massive relief efforts from the state.
Yet, Filipinos feel abandoned by the Marcos Jr. government not only in the physical absence of the President, but more so by his diplomacy to seek for more weapons that will only put the region in an atmosphere of war, whose effects would be far worse than any typhoon. We are also worried about Marcos Jr.’s begging for more investments from US multinationals culpable of the cause and of the lack of accountability towards the climate crisis.
The trip of Marcos Jr. also involved meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and US State Secretary Marco Rubio. Hegseth has noted the tightening of ties with the Philippines due to the US’ deployment of missiles and other facilities. Recently, US lawmakers expressed support and directives for an ammunition manufacturing facility in Subic.
The Filipino people feel “unpeace” and “unease” with every move Marcos Jr. makes. We implore the high heavens to urge the Filipino people to assert national sovereignty and climate justice and repudiate leaders like Marcos Jr. who have only made matters worse. Rain or shine, tens of thousands will flood along Commonwealth Ave. in the People’s State of the Nation Address this coming July 28 to condemn the miserable state of the nation Marcos Jr. puts Filipinos into.