Progressive groups protest in Quezon City, June 22, to denounce the United States' bombing of Iran's nuclear sites. Harlene Delgado, ABS-CBN News
MANILA -- Several progressive groups protested in Quezon City on Sunday, June 22 to denounce the United States’ bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan led the demonstration along with Anakbayan, Kabataan Partylist, Alliance of Concerned Teachers among others to show “solidarity with the people of Iran in resisting US-Israel aggression”.
The groups believe the attack “further escalates the conflict in the region”.
“[It] exposes the US as the biggest threat to humanity and the mastermind behind Israel’s attacks on Iran and the ongoing genocide in Palestine,” they added.
The groups challenge President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to condemn the U.S. bombing and to renounce the supposed aggression of the U.S. government.
“This also highlights the urgency for the immediate removal of all US troops, missile systems, and facilities from the Philippines as they pose a real danger to the local population,” they emphasized.
READ: Trump says US 'obliterated' Iran nuclear sites, threatens more
'POTENTIAL TARGETS'
For defense analyst Prof. Roland Simbulan, the presence of US military forces in the Philippines poses risk.
“This threat is very highly possible as all US military forces overseas on land and sea are now ‘fair game’ and potential targets for Iranian missiles after the US bombing attack on Iranian nuclear research facilities,” Simbulan told ABS-CBN News when asked about the call of progressive groups.
Simbulan also noted that the US attack on Iran is an admission that it played a role in Israel’s “unprovoked” attack against Iran.
“From the history of this conflict, hindi gagawin ng Israel ito kung walang basbas o backing ng US. So inamin ng U.S. ngayon with the announcement of Pres. Trump na may kinalaman sila sa situation na ito na lalong makaka-destabilize diyan sa security situation sa Middle East,” he stated.
He urged states to hold dialogue and uphold diplomacy for de-escalation.
“‘Yung mga bansang sumusuporta either sa Israel or sa Iran ‘yan ang mga merong nuclear weapons sa kanilang arsenal. ‘Yun ang mas delikado para sa mundo,” Simbulan noted.
“We should do everything so that they will go back to the negotiating table and talk, exchange words and ideas even if this words they exchange are bit harsh, it’s better than exhange bullets and missiles,” he emphasized.