ON SATURDAY, April 26, 2025, progressive groups gathered at Freedom Park in Davao City to express their concerns over the Balikatan 2025 exercises and the ongoing expansion of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) bases.
Fauzhea Guiani, a representative of Anakbayan–Southern Mindanao Region, voiced opposition to the presence of foreign military forces in the Philippines. She argued that such exercises lead to human rights violations and environmental damage, stating that the Balikatan exercises do not contribute to the country’s development as an independent nation.
“History have proven na walay positibo kini nga mahimo sa katilingban Pilipino (History has proven that nothing positive comes from this for Filipino society),” she said during the rally at Roxas Freedom Park.
Guiani also criticized the national government for allocating funds for these military exercises while failing to provide adequate funding for essential social services. She called the exercises a waste of money for a war the public is not interested in joining.
Lys Ancheta, a representative of Gabriela Youth–Davao, echoed Guiani’s concerns, highlighting that the Balikatan exercises have resulted in multiple human rights violations. She claimed that women and children have been subjected to abuse at U.S. military bases in Clark.
“Kami sa Gabriela Youth-Davao nagapanawagan nga sama sa uban organisasyon nga amoang kauban diri, iwagtang na ang mga balaod nga dili pantay ug nagapahimulos ug naga-give way lang sa mga human rights violation sa atoang nasod (We in Gabriela Youth-Davao, along with other organizations here, are calling for the abolition of unjust laws that enable human rights violations in our country),” he said.
A representative from the Kabataan Partylist–Southern Mindanao Region also criticized the government’s use of taxpayer money to purchase secondhand firearms for security personnel. He called for more funding to be directed toward education and other basic social services.
The groups also reiterated their demand to abolish the Visiting Forces Agreement and Edca, which they argue facilitate foreign military presence in the Philippines.
This year’s Balikatan exercises, which began on April 21, 2025, involve approximately 17,000 troops and include an integrated air and missile defense simulation. The exercises are set to conclude on May 9, 2025. RGP
