Civil society leaders cite historical atrocities, call for public opposition to US-Japan military buildup in Asia-Pacific
Grassroots organizations and people’s advocacy movements have raised alarm over Japan’s ongoing military buildup, including its reported capability to develop nuclear weapons, warning that history risks repeating itself unless the Filipino people actively oppose what they called a “proxy war agenda” pushed by the United States and its allies in the region.
In a recent public forum, community leaders Ka Eric Celis and Rj Javellana delivered strong reactions to a position paper by Ka Mentong Laurel, condemning Japan’s remilitarization and the expanding military footprint of the US in the Philippines under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
‘OVER 1 MILLION FILIPINOS KILLED’
Citing historical records, Celis reminded the public that an estimated 1 million Filipinos perished during World War II in the Pacific War Theater, including 120,000 in Manila alone during the final months of the conflict — many killed by Japanese forces even as US troops entered the country.
“Kahit na pumasok ang pwersa ng USA, ang mga namatay pa rin at pinatay ng Hapon sa Maynila ay umabot ng 120,000 na mga kababayan natin,” Celis said.
He also noted that the city of Manila was destroyed by bombardment from both Japanese and US forces.
JAPAN’S NUCLEAR CAPABILITY
Celis pointed to what he described as Japan’s move to remilitarize and develop or possess nuclear weapons, citing a reported stockpile of 44,000 kilograms of plutonium — enough to produce over 5,000 nuclear-capable armaments.
“Ngayon ang konteksto ng aming reaksyon… ang muling pag-igting ng bansang Hapon na ito ay mag-remilitarize ng kanilang kapabilidad upang mag-develop at mag-possess ng nuclear weapons or nuclear bombs,” Celis said.
He stressed that Japan’s military expansion is not merely for self-defense but is aimed at achieving war-fighting capability.
‘COMFORT WOMEN’ AND UNATONED ATROCITIES
Celis also invoked the suffering of over 5,000 documented Filipino “comfort women” — mostly minors aged 14 to 16 — who were forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army during the occupation.
He lamented that Japan has never fully atoned for its war crimes, including human experimentation and massacres across Southeast Asia. Unlike Germany, which faced its fascist past, Celis said Japan continues to maintain a shrine dedicated to Imperial Army officers and has not issued a genuine apology for WWII atrocities.
JAPAN AS ‘US PROXY’
Both speakers framed Japan’s remilitarization within the context of US imperialist strategy in the Asia-Pacific.
“Ang Japan is a proxy country of the US para palawakin ang US imperialist and hegemonic interest sa region ng Asia-Pacific,” Celis said. He added that Japan acts as a “tuta” (lapdog) of America to allow military intervention and control over the region.
Under Marcos Jr., Celis argued, the Philippines has allowed deeper US military involvement, including expanded access under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
US EXPANDING AMMUNITION HUB IN LUZON
Javellana, for his part, cited a recent Pentagon announcement revealing US intentions to expand military facilities in the Philippines, specifically the largest ammunition and bomb depot hub in Northern Luzon.
“Ito po ay openly discussed sa isang forum ng Pentagon at na-pick up po ito ng China,” Javellana said. He warned that what the US calls military exercises are actually “de facto” basing arrangements.
“Taun-taon twice ang kanilang military exercises. Over na lang yan. Military basing talaga ito,” he said.
He called on the Supreme Court to review the legality of EDCA, which he described as a forward military deployment agreement in the guise of exercises.
ECONOMIC COMPETITION, NOT CHINESE AGGRESSION
Javellana argued that the real driver of militarization is economic competition, particularly Japan’s fear of China’s rising economy.
“Kontrol sa ekonomiya… Dahil lumakas ang ekonomiya ng China, nakita ng Japan na siya ang No. 1 threat sa East Asia in terms ng ekonomiya,” Javellana said. However, he clarified that China has not shown aggressive intentions, noting that Chinese-Filipino guerrillas even fought and died defending the Philippines against Japanese fascist forces.
He also pointed out that Japan spends roughly 2% of its GDP on its military — a massive figure equivalent to about half of the entire Philippine national budget of ₱6.7 trillion.
‘NOT AGAINST JAPANESE PEOPLE’
Both speakers were careful to distinguish between the Japanese people and what they called a small rightist clique with militarist ambitions.
“Hindi tayo galit sa mga tao, hindi tayo galit sa Japanese people. Galit tayo sa maliit na klik kung saan meron silang rightist tendency,” Javellana clarified.
CALL TO ACTION
Celis ended with a urgent call for Filipinos to organize and resist being dragged into a war not of their making.
“Nasa sa atin kung anong gusto ng mga Pilipino. Gusto ba nating magpatuloy ito o panahon na para tayo lumaban, panahon na para tayo mag-organisa, panahon na para tayo kumilos para sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran laban sa pasismo at militarisasyon,” he said.
The forum was organized by grassroots groups including urban poor and community youth organizations under the People’s Advocacy Movement.
