MANILA (Sputnik) — The protests, attended by college students, middle-aged working-class men and farmers from the countryside among others, were initiated by local left-wing groups such as the New Patriotic Alliance, also known as the Bayan.
"Our call is to ban Trump in the Philippines, because for all we know the United States has been launching wars all over the world, in the third world countries that they’re trying to get into, such as Iran, Iraq and Syria. The US imperialism brings only wars and destruction in its neo-colonies such as ours," Kristine Cabardo, leader of the AKLAS, a youth alliance based on the Philippine island of Mindanao, who arrived in Manila to take part in the anti-Trump protests, told Sputnik.
Mindanao Moro and Indigenous People join #BanTrump protest towards US Embassy, Manila pic.twitter.com/wFC30JuvRi
— Anakpawis Partylist (@AnakpawisPL) 12 ноября 2017 г.
"We want to end US intervention in the Philippines. They’re here for economic interests. Their multinational companies are all over the Philippines. All of this came at the expense of our people. The United States has never left the Philippines, ever since they colonized us. US imperialism is the biggest horror in this nation," Cabardo said.
Police unable to block #BanTrump protest at Kalaw Ave., reaches Ferguson St, near Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila, pic.twitter.com/HOt4pp1EqP
— Anakpawis Partylist (@AnakpawisPL) 12 ноября 2017 г.
Renato Reyes, the secretary general of the New Patriotic Alliance, explained why he had organized the protests against Trump.
"We condemn in the strongest terms the state fascism that has been imposed on Filipino protesters. The protests are justified. Trump is an enemy of the people," Reyes told Sputnik.
#BanTrump protesters pushes towards US Embassy in Ermita, Manila pic.twitter.com/fJso5J7cMg
— Anakpawis Partylist (@AnakpawisPL) 12 ноября 2017 г.
According to Reyes, about 2,000-3,000 people took part in the protests. When the group of demonstrators got as close as one block away from the US Embassy, local police tried to stop them by forming human shields and blocking their way, which led to clashes with protesters. More than 20 people were injured and one was activist detained as a result of the clashes, Reyes added. In order to prevent the crowd, who held massive yellow banners reading "Ban Trump" and colorful flags, the local police had to use water cannons to force the protesters away from the main road leading to the US embassy, Reyes said.
US President Donald Trump lands in Manila for ASEAN Summit amid protests against his visit https://t.co/Ryjc59HFWp pic.twitter.com/coIYwgrg8P
— TRT World (@trtworld) 12 ноября 2017 г.
At one point, protesters set a US flag, with skulls replacing the stars, on fire. After about two hours of shouting and singing, the organizers persuaded protesters to retreat peacefully and even returned several pieces of police gear including anti-riot shields and helmets to police officers on the scene, before withdrawing from the streets.
Militant youth and students troop near SMEX Convention Center to protest the ongoing ASEAN Gala Meeting in preparation for US-ASEAN Summit 2017.
— STAND UP (@standupdiliman) 12 ноября 2017 г.
US-ASEAN will further all-out market liberalization in the country.#BanTrumpPH#ASEAN2017 pic.twitter.com/pFtwlnN1R5
As the 31st ASEAN Summit’s key meetings of world leaders expected to kick off Monday morning, Reyes said his organization planned to march toward the main venue of the summit, the Philippine International Convention Center, to continue the demonstration against Trump by burning a life-sized paper figure of the US president.
"ASEAN has been a summit for 50 years, but [what] have we got so far? Where is the Philippines now after 50 years? All of our resources have already been taken from all of our Filipino people. The government of Philippines does not serve the Filipino people. Even the soldiers or the Philippine National Police are not here to protect and serve us. [The regime of] President [Rodrigo] Duterte is the puppet regime of US imperialism in the Philippines," she said.
To ensure the safety of world leaders and avoid potential disturbance during the ASEAN Summit, the Philippine National Police have deployed over 60,000 officers in the streets of Manila and Angeles City, where the summit is being held.
