Opposing US military expansion plans

Peace seekers: Activists protesting against Austin’s visit outside the military headquarters, Camp Aguinaldo, in Quezon City. — Reuters

FILIPINOS have spoken out against American military expansion plans in their country following a top US defence official’s visit to the South-East Asian country this week.

“That is not part of our national interest. Our national interest is to become an economically prosperous country. And we can only do that if we can have peace in the country and peace in the region,” said Anna Malindog-Uy, vice-president of the Manila-based think tank Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute.