Counterterrorism is again being used as a pretext to justify and normalize growing US military presence in the country.

Counterterrorism is again being used as a pretext to justify and normalize growing US military presence in the country.

CAGAYAN DE ORO — Multisectoral and human rights groups opposed plans to establish a United States (US)-backed counterterrorism hub in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and Karapatan stressed that this initiative may result in US participation in the country’s counterinsurgency campaign that could worsen violations of human rights and international humanitarian law (IHL).

“Currently, Philippine police forces are already being assailed for their increasingly repressive handling of protesters,” Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary-general, said in a statement.

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On July 30, the US Embassy in the Philippines and the Zamboanga del Sur provincial government signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for a P30.8 million (US$500,000) counterterrorism program under the US Department of State’s Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) program.

The US-led initiative includes establishing “permanent and dedicated” training facilities reportedly within the Provincial Government Complex (PGC) in Barangay Dao, Pagadian City that would provide special training courses on counterterrorism to around 2,000 personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) annually.

Speaking with reporters during the MOA signing, US Embassy in the Philippines Spokesperson Jameson DeBose did not directly answer the question as to why they chose Zamboanga del Sur.

Bayan and Karapatan also viewed this initiative as an expansion of the presence of US forces in the southern part of the country, noting the existing Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro which is a designated military site under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) of the Philippine and US governments, as well as other military bases in Zamboanga City.

“Counterterrorism is again being used as a pretext to justify and normalize growing US military presence in the country and escalating US intervention in the Philippines’ internal affairs,” Palabay said.

Read:Philippines as a US military base?

Progressive groups have criticized the Marcos Jr. administration for its recent partnerships with the US. Aside from the continuing implementation of EDCA, they also opposed the plan to establish a military oil depot within the Davao Gulf and the controversial US-led Pax Silica initiative that would establish a 1,600-hectare industrial hub in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

They said that these undermine the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They also expressed concerns that these engagements with the US could turn the country into a launching pad for attacks.

Karapatan called on both chambers of the 20th Congress to look into this another engagement involving the US. (DAA)

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