Several progressives groups flocked in front of China and United States (US) embassies on Monday, the Philippines' 125th Independence Day, to assert the country's sovereignty and protest against the two countries' intrusion in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Protesters first trooped into the Chinese Embassy Manila in Makati City.
Among the groups present in the protest are Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Anakbayan Southern Mindanao, Bayan Muna, and Gabriel Women's Party.
"Atin ang Pinas, China Layas," this was the unanimous cry of the crowd.
<blockquote>
&lsquo;ATIN ANG PINAS, CHINA LAYAS&rsquo; LOOK: Ilang progresibong grupo, nagsagawa ng kilos-protesta sa harap ng Chinese Embassy sa Makati ngayong ika-125 anibersaryo ng Araw ng Kalayaan | <a href="https://twitter.com/dzrhnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dzrhnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/UQdvJ11B4D">pic.twitter.com/UQdvJ11B4D</a>
&mdash; Christian Ma&ntilde;o (@xtian_mano) <a href="https://twitter.com/xtian_mano/status/1668075809121370113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
Local and small fisherfolks Pamalakaya also took part in the rally and demanded China respect the Filipino fishers' rights in WPS.
<blockquote>
LOOK | In time of the 125th Independence Day, small fishers, along with various patriotic sectors troop to Chinese Consulate to protest Beijing&rsquo;s continued occupation of the West Philippine Sea. PAMALAKAYA demands China to respect the rights of Filipino fishers in Ph seas. <a href="https://t.co/uqzgoqtRNd">pic.twitter.com/uqzgoqtRNd</a>
&mdash; Pamalakaya Pilipinas (@pama_pil) <a href="https://twitter.com/pama_pil/status/1668071206879211522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
The progressive groups then marched in US Embassy in the Philippines located in Kalaw, Manila, to raise their opposition to the presence of US troops in the country under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) agreement.
But the military and police forces then blocked the protesters on their way to the building of the US Embassy.
Some militants burned a US flag that has text saying "Junk EDCA!" and "US Troops out of PH!".
"Sa araw na ito, araw ng Kalayaan, hindi tayo hihinto sa panawagan natin na panagutin ang rehimeng Marcos Jr. at ibasura lahat ng klase ng kabiguan, taliwas sa ating pambansang soberanya," a protest leader said.&nbsp;
<blockquote>
LOOK: Watawat ng US, sinunog ng mga raliyista sa kilos-protesta sa Maynila ngayong Independence Day | <a href="https://twitter.com/dzrhnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dzrhnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/GbDdMnIJwC">pic.twitter.com/GbDdMnIJwC</a>
&mdash; Christian Ma&ntilde;o (@xtian_mano) <a href="https://twitter.com/xtian_mano/status/1668104267104940033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2023</a></blockquote>

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Groups protest intrusion of China, US in WPS on Independence day