BAGUIO CITY — Students across Baguio and Benguet are set for a protest today, November 13, as part of the National and Baguio-Benguet Youth Day of Action to Kick Trump Out and Reject Pax Silica.
A planned walkout come days before US President Donald Trump arrives in the Philippines on November 16 for the 49th ASEAN Summit where he and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are set to sign the Pax Silica Economic Security Zone.
We must not allow this,” said Uno Quibin, spokesperson of the League of Filipino Students – Saint Louis University.
Critics have opposed the agreement since it was introduced, citing its possible environmental impacts, threats to local livelihoods, and deeper foreign control over the country’s lands and resources.
Youth groups are urging students to join because, they said, Pax Silica puts their future at stake. “Trump’s arrival signifies the arrival of the plunderer-in-chief in the Philippines. The signing of Pax Silica between him and Marcos Jr. is an official declaration of the turnover of the Filipino people’s lands and resources.
Organizers also cited Trump’s record of warmongering in Palestine, Iran, and other countries, what they called his fascist policies, and his intervention in other nations’ economic and foreign policies, including the Philippines’.
“The greed of those in power must be stopped. We must make our collective opposition heard,” Quibin said.
Students from UP Baguio, Saint Louis University, the University of Baguio, the University of the Cordilleras, Benguet State University, and other schools are expected to take part. The walkouts start with UP Baguio at 1:30 PM, followed by SLU and UC at 2:30 PM. At the same hour, a Youth March for Environment, Resources, and Sovereignty sets off from UPB. The day ends with a centralized “Friday the 13th Protest” program at Igorot Garden at 4:00 PM.
The actions are led by LFS Baguio-Benguet and Anakbayan Metro Baguio with a call: “Youth, fight for our future!” By Maria Elena Catajan
