Filipino Women Protest Trump Visit Ahead of ASEAN Summit
Activists demand the cancellation of US-led trade pacts and military agreements in Manila.
1Protesters March in Manila
Demonstrators gathered on Kalaw Avenue in Manila on Monday, November 9, to voice opposition against the upcoming visit of the US president. Carrying banners with slogans like 'Trump Out,' the group marched through the streets. Participants used brooms to symbolically sweep images of the leader along the road during the rally.
2Gabriela Leads Organized Dissent
The rally was spearheaded by the women's group Gabriela, a prominent activist organization in the Philippines. Members explicitly urged the public to reject the president's status as a guest of honor at the 49th ASEAN Summit. This demonstration occurred just days before the official event hosted by the Philippine government in mid-November.
3Summit Attendance Confirmed
Both the White House and Malacañang have officially confirmed that the US president will attend the 49th ASEAN Summit. This visit marks his first trip to the Philippines since 2017. The summit serves as a major diplomatic stage, bringing together regional leaders to discuss economic and security cooperation across the Southeast Asian bloc.
4Opposition to Pax Silica
Beyond the visit, activists are demanding the immediate scrapping of the Pax Silica pact. The Philippines joined this US-led agreement in April 2026 as its 13th signatory. The framework focuses on securing supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence, which protesters claim prioritizes American interests over the needs of Filipinos.
5New Clark City Hub
A central point of contention is the proposed 4,000-acre industrial hub located in New Clark City, Tarlac. Activists argue that this infrastructure project serves foreign geopolitical goals rather than local economic development. The project remains a key component of the Pax Silica framework, drawing significant criticism from local groups regarding national sovereignty.
6Military Agreement Scrutiny
In addition to trade concerns, the group Gabriela called for the total termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement. This long-standing military pact governs the presence of US troops within the Philippines. Critics argue that such agreements undermine national autonomy and increase the risk of the country being drawn into US-led regional conflicts.
7Symbolic Rejection of Influence
The act of sweeping images of the US president with brooms served as a symbolic rejection of his administration's policies. Protesters explicitly stated their desire to resist US-led wars and foreign intervention. These demonstrations highlight the ongoing tension between the Philippine government's diplomatic alignment and grassroots movements advocating for a non-aligned policy.
8Context of Regional Tensions
The protest underscores the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the ASEAN summit. As the Philippines balances its economic ties with the United States through agreements like Pax Silica, domestic opposition remains vocal. The government faces the challenge of managing these public sentiments while maintaining strategic international partnerships during the high-profile regional diplomatic gathering.
Original article: Euronews – Latest — Filipino Women Protest Trump Visit Ahead of ASEAN Summit