Activists hold anti-US protests in Philippines ahead of Trump visit





Manila – Leftist activists on Friday marched to the US Embassy in the Philippines to protest the upcoming visit of US President Donald Trump, who will attend a South-East Asian leaders' summit in Manila on the weekend.



 
Anti-riot police officers blocked the demonstrators before they reached the seaside embassy compound, raising tensions as the protesters tried to push their way in.
The activists shouted anti-US slogans and carried banners with such messages as “Ban Trump!”, “Trump, not welcome” and “Fight US imperialist war.”
They vowed to hold more protests against Trump, who is scheduled to arrive in Manila on Sunday for the leaders summit of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“The only welcome befitting of his visit is protest and condemnation,” said human rights group Karapatan, which also criticised the 10-member ASEAN for being “subservient” to partners such as the United States, Canada and Australia.
“There is no partnership here, only the connivance of powerful countries to sell, undermine, and plunder the rest of the world,” said Cristina Palabay, secretary general of Karapatan.
“US imperialism is tantamount to war, human rights violations, unfair economic policies, and the preservation of a world order that favors a wealthy few,” she added.
Trump is scheduled to meet with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit or the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference meeting being held in Vietnam.
US lawmakers have called on Trump to raise the issue of human rights violations in the Philippines during his meeting with Duterte, who vowed to tell other foreign leaders to “lay off” on the issue during the ASEAN summit.

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Friday, November 10th 2017
(dpa)
           


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