U.S. OUT OF THE PHILIPPINES
Action Toolkit | August 2024
Link to this toolkit: https://bit.ly/USoutPH-ILToolkit
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Context and Analysis
Amid rising tensions in the upcoming 2024 U.S. Presidential election, Democrats and Republicans alike have not only remained complicit in the ongoing genocide in Palestine — both parties have also continued to war-monger in all other areas in the world, especially in the Asia-Pacific.
U.S imperialist war is on the rise. The U.S continues to exert its military might as it tries to retain its weakening power across the globe. With this, we see the growing threat of full-blown inter-imperialist war in the Asia-Pacific as the US continues to encircle China economically, politically, and militarily.
The Philippines is the largest recipient of US military assistance in the Asia-Pacific region. Since 2015, the US has delivered more than $1 billion worth of planes, armored vehicles, small arms, and other military equipment and training. Just last year, the Marcos regime handed four new EDCA bases to the US, bringing the total to nine. The two countries also signed the US- PH Bilateral Security Guidelines, which expands the scope of the Mutual Defense Treaty and explicitly mentions US intervention in affairs related to the South China Sea and counter "terrorism." And while the Filipino people must also assert our sovereign rights against China's imperialist aggression in the West Philippine Sea, turning to US imperialism for "protection" will never be the answer. When looked at in sum, the US is orchestrating the largest military build- up in the Philippines since the end of the Cold War.
The presence of the U.S military on Philippine soil is a violation of the 1987 Constitution and a violation of national sovereignty. It is a source of extreme violence against peasant farmers, workers, women, trans people, Indigenous peoples, and children. It also is a major source of environmental destruction. The Philippine state has leaned on the US' continued financial support and arms deals to buy more weapons and surveillance equipment to use against the Filipino people and their revolutionary movement. It is our call to show the masses that their issues are directly linked to opposing U.S militarism and the ruling local puppet government for a genuinely sovereign Philippines.
Our Calls & Demands
US Out of the Philippines and All Asia Pacific!
End the Marcos Regime’s Puppetry to US imperialism!
Uphold Philippine sovereignty!
Build international solidarity against US intervention, militarization and aggression
Abolish the NTF-ELCAC!
Cancel RIMPAC!
Money for jobs and education, not for war and occupation!
US Bases Out of the Philippines Now!
Junk VFA, EDCA, and all unequal military agreements!
End the Balikatan exercises and war games in the Philippines!
Justice for Jennifer Laude
Justice for victims of violence against women and children
Justice for Brandon Lee
Justice for all victims of crimes committed by US troops. No to impunity
Pass the Philippines Human Rights Act and cut US aid to the Philippines
Halt the 123 Nuclear Agreement!
Tunay na Krisis Tugunan! Mandatory
ROTC at Charter Change Tutulan!
(Respond to the Real Crisis! Oppose Mandatory ROTC & Charter Change!)
From Palestine to the Philippines, Stop the US War Machine!
Action Items
What is PERA?
The Philippines Enhanced Resilience Act being proposed by Senators Bill Hagerty and Tim Kaine will allow for the U.S to provide $500 million of foreign military financing to the Philippines from 2025 through 2029 This will result in $2.5 billion in US security assistance to the Philippines. This money will be used to increase defense capabilities that the Secretary of State determines are crucial to the defense of the Philippines. This can include coastal defenses, long-range fires, integrated air defenses, manned and unmanned aerial systems, mechanized ground mobility vehicles, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, defensive cybersecurity, and any other.
Letter to Senators to Reject PERA
Dear Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth,
As your constituents, we are alarmed at the allocation of $500 million of Foreign Military Financing to the Philippines, announced by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on July 30th. This is on top of the recently introduced Philippines Enhanced Resilience Act of 2024 (S.4097), which authorizes $500 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grant assistance to the Philippines for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029 — a total of $2.5 billion over five fiscal years.
These constant and rapid increases in US military aid to the Philippines will only cause harm and suffering to the Filipino people, and ignores serious human rights abuses committed by Philippine security forces under the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The U.S. State Department’s 2023 annual report on human rights in the Philippines reported extrajudicial killings, indiscriminate detention, torture, and enforced disappearances as an ongoing problem, stating there have been “no significant changes” in the human rights situation. This May, the International People’s Tribunal found the current Marcos Jr. administration guilty of war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law. These war crimes and human rights violations are being committed with the support and funding of US military aid.
U.S. government officials frequently cite a need to counter China’s increasing influence in the region as justification for military aid to the Philippines, but true stability and security won’t be achieved unless basic human rights are respected.
As your constituents, we call on you to halt the additional $500 million of Foreign Military Financing to the Philippines and to vote no on the Philippine Enhanced Resiliency Act. Instead, we encourage you to support the Philippines Human Rights Act (H.R. 4133), which calls for suspending the provision of security assistance to the Philippines until human rights violations by Philippine security officials cease and responsible state forces are held accountable.
Sincerely, [name of individual or org here]
To sign onto this letter, please fill out the form at: tinyurl.com/ILrejectpera-sign
What is PHRA?
The objective of the Philippines Human Rights Act (PHRA) is to suspend provision of security assistance to the Philippines until human rights violations by Philippines security forces cease and state forces are held responsible and accountable. This would require the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to submit reports of usage of U.S Aid, including misuses that resulted in intimidation, illegal sales, and misappropriation, and extra-judicial killings. Considerations for a lift of this restriction would include the investigation and accountability of all military and police members that have committed human rights abuses.
Copy of Sponsorship/Endorsement Request Letter
Dear [ ],
Thank you so much for your support and solidarity for the cause of human life, dignity and rights in the Philippines and for all people. With your support we have been able to raise the awareness of the dire human rights situation in the Philippines among our elected leaders and save Brandon Lee, the first U.S. citizen targeted by the Duterte administration.
The Philippines has been deemed one of the deadliest countries in the world for land defenders, journalists and trade unionists. According to human rights groups, the number of killings under the current Duterte regime, infamous for its deadly war on drugs, has risen to 30,000. However, since 2016, the U.S. has provided $550 million dollars in military aid to Duterte and implemented paltry human rights restrictions and oversight.
We are calling for the introduction of legislation “To suspend United States security assistance with the Philippines until such time as human rights violations by Philippine security forces cease and the responsible state forces are held accountable.” We are asking for your support in becoming an official endorser of this campaign for the suspension of U.S. military aid. The commitment to endorsing the campaign includes the following:
- Placing your organizational name and logo on the campaign website & materials
- Joining lobbying efforts with local elected officials
- Providing resources and support for the campaign (i.e., mobilization of membership, staff, venue, supplies, in-kind); Please list: ______________
- Donating $50, $100, $250, or $500 for support of campaign costs (based on capacity)
As a campaign endorser, we will ensure regular communication with you on the development of the campaign.
Thank you again for your solidarity and support,
Click here to Endorse the PHRA
Educational Materials
One Pagers
The one pagers are short primers that should be used to educate our community members and legislators about specific issues and cases in the Philippines and why we should reject PERA and pass the PHRA.
- What is PERA (one pager)?
- What is the PHRA (one pager)?
- PHRA Instagram Slides
- PHRA Legislative Advocacy Toolkit
- Learn more about Human Rights in the Philippines
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Chicago Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines