CDO, Philippines – A recent radio commentary on Bombo Radyo CDO has sounded a stark alarm against the expanding United States military footprint in the Philippines, framing it as a grave provocation that jeopardizes national sovereignty, economic stability, and public safety while offering no tangible benefits to the Filipino people.
The speaker, President of Asian Century Philippines Herman Laurel, asserted that the deployment of US missile systems, including the long-range, nuclear-capable Tomahawk via the “Typhoon” launching system, is a direct preparation for an “anti-China proxy war” using the Philippines as a pawn. He warned that this makes the country a primary target, citing President Putin’s past remarks on the Tomahawk’s range covering Russia.
Key Allegations and Warnings:
- Provocation and Vulnerability: Laurel argued that while a Tomahawk missile would take two hours to reach China and could be detected by Chinese satellites, Chinese hypersonic missiles could strike the Philippines in as little as 10 minutes. “We don’t have an opponent,” he stated, questioning why officials are “playing with fire.”
- Sovereignty Erosion: He highlighted the Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro, an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) site, claiming that even Filipino officials cannot enter without American permission, calling them “American operations.”
- Economic Mismanagement: Laurel pointed to a Pulse Asia survey indicating that only 4% of Filipinos are concerned about foreign intervention in the West Philippine Sea, with inflation being the top issue. He blamed the government’s “anti-China” stance for a catastrophic drop in Chinese tourism—from 1.8 million visitors in 2019 to just 330,000 in 2024—representing a loss of over $1.6 billion for the economy.
- Nuclear Contamination Risk: A recent “nuclear contamination briefing” for doctors at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center was cited as a “first sign of the great danger” facing Filipinos due to the presence of US missiles. Laurel emphasized that nuclear contamination would have devastating, multi-generational consequences.
- EDCA’s “False Promises”: The promised benefits of EDCA sites for disaster relief were dismissed as a deception. Laurel noted that despite recent earthquakes in Cebu and Luzon, no significant help came from US forces, while the first assistance in Bogo, Cebu, came from the Chinese Embassy.
The commentary called for widespread public action, including protests outside bases like Lumbia Airport, and a national movement to “kick out the American bases.” It also demanded a change in government leadership, accusing President Bongbong Marcos and officials like Teodoro and Browner of being “American Chihuahuas” and “real traitors” for colluding with the US for personal gain.
Laurel advocated for a return to an independent foreign policy and neutrality, urging the public to focus on economic recovery rather than being drawn into a conflict that serves no Philippine interest. The movement plans to hold an anti-war congress in Cagayan de Oro in 2026 as part of its ongoing campaign.#
