Anti-war protesters tell Prime Minister Anthony Albanese 'AUKUS out of Asia'

September 8, 2023
Issue 
Outside the Australian Embassy in Manila
Outside the Australian Embassy in Manila. Photo: Jose Pedrosa

Sanlakas, Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) and Samahang Progresibo ng Kabataan organised a protest outside the Australian Embassy in Makati in Manila the day before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in the Philippines for talks with President Ferdinand Marcos Junior.

The protesters聽held banners and chanted 鈥淣o to war! Yes to peace! AUKUS out of Asia!鈥.

Speakers opposed the Philippines government鈥檚 support for increasing militarisation, including the AUKUS security arrangement. They said the nuclear-powered submarines add to the number of warships led by US and its allies in the South China Sea on the pretext of supporting 鈥渇reedom of navigation鈥.

The sent a solidarity message, which was read out by Emman David, from the PLM.

The Sydney-based group is a part of a growing movement against AUKUS, which is聽calling for it to be scrapped, joint military exercises to end, and for Australia to scrap plans for nuclear powered submarines.

Australia is increasing military ties with the Marcos Jnr regime and promising to have joint naval patrols with the Philippines navy in the South China Sea.

The protesters denounced the US troop presence in the Philippines, saying the number of bases had increased under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

Video:聽Protest in Manila ahead of Australian PM's visit to Philippines.聽.

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