Let’s defend Philippine sovereignty and patrimony:
Stop the US Balikatan war games! Remove foreign bases and troops!
Demand China’s Withdrawal from the West Philippine Sea!
Statement/ Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment
April 22, 2024
As the Balikatan 2024 exercises open today, April 21, 2024 — touted as the largest ever in our mutual defense history with the United States — the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment strongly condemns the continued militarization of the Philippines by our ‘allies,’ amid the growing tensions between the US and China. We call for an immediate end to these war games and demand the withdrawal of foreign troops, along with the dismantling of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites and other “rotating military bases” from our country.
We raise the alarm for other environmental groups: the Philippines is facing great danger today. While the Chinese Coast Guard is encroaching upon us in the West Philippine Sea, the US plans to use us as “cannon fodder” in its own confrontation with China. For sure, we oppose China’s encroachment in the West Philippine Sea, but we are equally opposed to the US using this issue as a pretext for war to gain power in the region. Both the US and China, after all, are imperialist countries seeking dominance in our region. History has also shown that US intervention has always led to war and tragedy — and widespread, long-term environmental destruction, as well. These have been seen in the US-led wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Ukraine, and Palestine.
We note that the environmental impact of military operations, such as the Balikatan exercises, is significant. Troop movements, vehicle maneuvers, construction activities, and the sinking of naval ships — all lead to habitat loss and fragmentation, endangering local wildlife. The use of heavy machinery, explosives, ammunition, and other military equipment contributes to soil and water pollution by chemical contamination. Massive amounts of waste are generated — much of this toxic waste. The health of local communities is threatened during the exercises, as well as by the long-term impacts of the exercises on the environment. Noise pollution disrupts ecosystems and disturbs wildlife.
We also strongly oppose the plan to hold military exercises in the mega-diverse littoral areas of Luzon and Palawan. These coastal regions, known for their exceptionally high biodiversity, are particularly sensitive to environmental damage. Military exercises in these areas can cause severe and long-lasting harm to these fragile ecosystems.
Despite numerous Balikatan exercises held since the Visiting Forces Agreement was entered into force in 1999, the environmental impacts of these exercises have never been considered, much less thoroughly studied.
The ramping up of US military presence in the Philippines reveals the true priorities of the US-Marcos Jr. administration: military alliances that only serve the interests of foreign power and local elites, over the preservation of the Philippine environment and, our natural resources and the well-being of our people.
We enjoin our fellow Filipinos to stand with us to defend our environment and national patrimony, which are the very building blocks of national development for our generation and for all future Filipino generations.
Defend Philippine Sovereignty!
Remove foreign troops and military bases from the country!
Stop the US Balikatan war games!
Scrap the Mutual Defense Treaty, Visiting Forces Agreement, and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement!
China, out of the West PH Sea!
#NoToVFA #NoToEDCA #ChinaOut #USOut
