๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ด๐ฎ ๐ ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐: ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ด๐ป ๐ ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ด๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐
BAYAN Australia strongly condemns the ongoing โExercise Kasangga 2025-1,โ a joint military drill between the Philippine Army and the Australian Defence Force (ADF), which commenced on May 19 in Cagayan de Oro and is scheduled to conclude on June 24 in Bukidnon. This exercise, involving three platoons from both nationsโ armies, is not an isolated event but part of a series of continuous military engagements that serve the strategic interests of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region.
We likewise condemn in the strongest terms the U.S.-Marcos regime for orchestrating this dangerous puppetry to U.S. imperialism. By allowing increasing foreign troop presence and joint military exercises like Kasangga, the Marcos Jr. administration is not defending Philippine sovereigntyโit is betraying it. The regime is shamelessly offering up the Filipino people as cannon fodder for U.S. warmongering in its bid to maintain hegemony in the Indo-Pacific. Instead of asserting an independent foreign policy that upholds peace and national dignity, the Marcos government willingly plays the role of junior partner to U.S. militarism, dragging the country deeper into the crosshairs of inter-imperialist conflict and endangering the lives and future of ordinary Filipinos.
The Philippines has become a staging ground for foreign military operations under the guise of regional security and counterterrorism. Following the recently concluded Balikatan exercises with the United States, the Kasangga drills further entrench foreign military presence in our sovereign territory. These activities are clear manifestations of the Philippinesโ subservience to U.S. imperialist objectives, particularly in its efforts to contain Chinaโs influence in the region.
The environmental impact of these military exercises cannot be overstated. Live-fire drills and other combat simulations pose significant threats to our marine ecosystems, including coral reefs and the broader marine biodiversity. Such environmental degradation directly affects the livelihoods of Filipino fisherfolk, who are often barred from accessing their traditional fishing grounds during these military activities. The economic consequences for these communities are severe, exacerbating poverty and social inequality.
BAYAN Australia calls for the immediate cessation of all foreign military exercises on Philippine soil and the withdrawal of U.S., Australian, and other foreign troops from the country. We urge all Filipinos, both in the Philippines and the diaspora, to mobilise against the continued militarisation of our homeland. Let us organise mass rallies, educational forums, and other forms of protest to assert our national sovereignty and protect our environment and communities from the adverse effects of foreign military interventions.
On the other hand, rather than addressing the pressing needs of its own peopleโsuch as the housing crisis, crumbling healthcare, and urgent climate actionโthe Australian government also continues to squander public funds on military ventures that serve U.S. imperialist designs in the region. This reckless warmongering must be opposed. The Australian people have a responsibility to resist their governmentโs role in foreign aggression, oppose Australian foreign military aid to the Philippines, and to stand in solidarity with the Filipino peopleโs struggle against militarisation and imperialist intervention.
Our collective resistance is crucial in challenging the imperialist agendas that compromise our nationโs independence and the well-being of our people. Together, we can forge a path toward genuine peace and sovereignty.
No to foreign military exercises!
U.S. and Australian troops, out of the Philippines!
No to Balikatan! No to Kasangga!
Stop US and Australian military aid to the Philippines!
BAYAN Australia
May 27, 2025
