ENVIRONMENTALISTS AGAINST US IMPERIALISM!

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Environmentalists marched in solidarity with other progressive groups towards the United States Embassy in condemnation of the continued war aggressions of US-Israel against Iran in a mass mobilization spearheaded by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) in the morning of April 9, 2026 at the same time as the Day of Valor.

Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan - PNE) National Coordinator Cathleen De Guzman states that the close relationship between the United States and the Philippines is being delicately cared for by President Marcos Jr. but it is the imbalance within the dynamics of the two nation-states that foster severe inequality and harbor the economic conditions that continue to burden our citizenry.

De Guzman cites the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that was recently signed between the Philippines and the United States back on February 4, 2026 in a previous summit that was held in Washington. The MoU states that it seeks to aid the Philippines in transitioning from an exporter of raw ore to domestic processing of minerals and metals such as nickel, cobalt, and graphite.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael Lotilla who signed the agreement with the United States claimed that the MoU will be a part of the government institution’s commitment to upholding responsible mining, environmental standards, and the welfare of local communities.

However, Climate Rights International noted that the draft critical minerals agreement that was publicized by the State Department exhibits a worrying absence of binding measures that safeguard human rights, environmental defense, and climate protections. The organization noted that this may lead to the proliferation of abuses that already exist within the industry.

Furthermore, the Climate Change Network for Community-based Initiatives (CCNCI) has documented numerous human rights violations at the hands of authorities in Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya with the issuance of an exploration permit to Woggle Corporation, Inc. embodying the bureaucratic red-tape from within the government institution.

The continued war aggressions of the imperialist United States has proven to be deleterious to the livelihoods of ordinary citizens across the globe. In the Philippine context, the rising oil prices imperiled the livelihoods of many workers in the transport sector, has led to the equivalent rise in prices of basic commodities, and has seen a working sector struggling to traverse an urban city due to a flawed system of public transportation.

Beyond the local context, the rise in military excursions from imperialist powers will lead to a rise in military-induced climate emissions which is often underrepresented in most climate reports. Historically, United States imperialism has contributed to their place in the global economy as the number 1 emitter that siphons natural resources off developing countries, foreign interventionist policies that dictate the political trajectory of nation-states, and war mongering that has infringed upon the nation sovereignty of independent states.

In modern context, the Day of Valor must recognize the struggle of the Filipino people who continue to persist through the hardships brought by a government subservient to the interests of foreign imperialist powers.

𝐔𝐒 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓, 𝐍𝐎.𝟏 𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓!