Simultaneous protests were held to amplify calls for immediate action in line with the Global Day of Action Against Climate Crisis and War.
During the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Baku, Azerbaijan, hundreds of environmental activists held protests calling for climate justice. They gathered in the conference halls where leaders from major global climate polluters such as the United States, China, Russia, and the European Union converged.
In the Philippines, environmental groups, advocates, and progressive organizations marched from Kalaw Avenue to the US Embassy on November 16, 2024, to protest against the United States as a leading contributor to the climate crisis and conflicts worldwide.
Sectoral leaders also symbolically trampled on a figure representing President Trump, demonstrating their commitment to fighting against the “destructive U.S. war machine.”
War, Military Aid, and Environmental Destruction
Throughout Asia, the Philippines has consistently been one of the largest recipients of U.S. military aid. Last year, the country received $40 million through the U.S. Department of National Defense’s Foreign Military Financing (FMF) Program.
During the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to the capital in July of this year, the administration of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. is expected to receive even more support. The two top U.S. officials pledged an additional $500 million in foreign military financing, with Blinken describing it as an investment aimed at modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and strengthening their allies’ positions in the region.
“What is the US doing? It is launching wars and creating tension all over the world. In the Philippines, the effects of the US military bases and exercises on our communities are severe,” said Raymond Palatino, Secretary-General of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN).
Progressive and nationalist groups have pointed out that these military aids come with a price. They just not only allow the entry of foreign military bases and forces but also exacerbate environmental destruction and increase tensions between rival superpowers, the U.S. and China.
As a result, the Filipino people eventually being caught in the crossfire.
“Indigenous peoples, farmers, and fisherfolks are displaced and these US military bases through their production of toxic waste also wreak havoc on our environment,” he added.
Kalikasan, an environmental group, also stressed the serious health and environmental impacts of the Balikatan exercises on local communities.
“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 environmental group asserted in a statement.
With the Enhanced Defense Coordination Agreement (EDCA) signed in 2014 by the late President Benigno Aquino III, the US was permitted to build facilities inside Philippine military bases for joint military exercises such as the Balikatan. It also allowed for the storage, importation, and exportation of military equipment and supplies, all intended to benefit the modernization of the Philippines’ armed forces.
“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,” they reiterated.
Through EDCA, the US along with the Marcos Jr. administration have agreed to designate four new military bases. The agreement which was struck up last year eyed these locations to prop up the bases: Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; Balabac Island in Palawan; and Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan.
The recently held Balikatan exercises this year involved 16,000 American and Filipino troops, making it one of the largest in recent history.
Groups also emphasized that such aid, from the US in particular, only serves to mask their true intentions.
“US imperialism is the primary accomplice and patron of past and present regimes in the Philippines. It is also the implementer of security policies and counter-insurgency programs such as Duterte’s EO 70 which Marcos Jr. is continuing,” said Eco Dangla, Spokesperson of People Surge.
They assert that the US funneling funds to the AFP only serves to enact counter-insurgency efforts.
In 2018, the former Duterte administration signed EO 70 in a bid to “address the roots of insurgency” through focused military operations (FMO) and retooled community support program (RSCPO) operations across the country. This also paved the establishment of NTF-ELCAC.
Since its establishment, the agency has been notorious for red-tagging, profiling, harassing, and even abducting progressives and activists.
Since Marcos Jr. assumed office in 2022, there have been 14 recorded cases of abduction. Among them were environmental and human rights defenders like Eco Dangla, Jonila Castro, and Jhed Tamano.
Climate justice means ending US war-mongering
Recent discussions regarding the climate crisis in COP29 have centered on financial issues, particularly the annual funding for the loss-and-damage fund, the transition to clean energy, and the need for climate change adaptability in developing countries.
Filipino activists assert a viable solution to the pressing climate crisis: to put an end to U.S. imperialism, war-mongering, and exploitation.
Since October 3 last year, when Israel launched its genocidal war against Palestine it has received at least $17.9 billion in military aid from the US.
In a preliminary assessment done by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) regarding the environmental impact of the Gazan conflict, it found rapidly growing soil, water, and air pollution and risks of irreversible damage to its natural ecosystems.
“People are already living with the consequences of conflict-related damage to environmental management systems and pollution today. Water and sanitation have collapsed. Critical infrastructure continues to be decimated. Coastal areas, soil and ecosystems have been severely impacted. All of this is deeply harming people’s health, food security and Gaza’s resilience,” said Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director.
And research from the Social Science Research Network (yet to be peer-reviewed) suggest that the carbon emissions from the first 120 days of the conflict exceeded 26 countries and territories, with Israel responsible for 90% of these.
The Gaza Ministry of Health has so far recorded 43,846 deaths, 77,704 injured, and approximately 10,000 missing with other reports tallying 2,000,000 Palestinians being displaced.
“We will make the US pay for what it’s doing all around the world, imperialist plunder. We will make the US pay for fanning the flames of war and promoting genocide in Palestine. We will make the US pay for trampling over our sovereignty with their military bases and for their support to the AFP that continue to trample on our peoples’ human rights,” Palatino ended.
