Multisectoral groups gathered to examine the implications and the role of the United States (US) imperialism in relation to the issues of the Philippines’ sovereignty and the ongoing exploitation of the nation’s natural resources.

Moro-Christian Peoples Alliance member Amirah Ali Lidasan traced the rise of imperialism to the development of capitalism in Western Europe during the Industrial Revolution, rooted in the acquisition of monopoly and control to advance its own interest. 

“Ang kapitalismo sa mga bansa lalo na sa West Europe nag transform siya [into] higher-stage niya, io na yung Imperialism makikita mo siya sa klase-klaseng karakteristik… monopolyo-kapitalismo ibig sabihin nasa kaniya na ang lahat ng raw materials, means of production, ug asa pud niya i-distribute,” she said.

Lidasan added that for one imperialist country to maintain its power, it must secure the material resources of other countries to grow its capital, as evidenced by its aggression against West Asia to monopolize resources, such as oil.

“Kaya sa Middle East [West Asia], kailangan mong makontrol ang Saudi [Arabia] kasi naa pud ang Iran… Kailangan makuha or makontrol ang oil producing dahil ito ang magbibigay power and energy para sa war production na yun nalang natitirang malakas sa U.S” 

Further, Ateneo 4 Palestine – Davao (A4P) Representative Mar Inno Brian Plazos pointed out that the continued veto of the US for the United Nations (UN) resolution in ending Israel’s genocide in Gaza back in September 2025 shows the extent on what its willing to do to preserve its superpower position on the world stage. 

“There is also an attempt to normalize genocide through diplomacy, wherein katong sa UN Security Council sigeg veto ang S to stop the genocide because they have a power sa Security Council… In order to advance their interests, they keep vetoing… There is a need for the US to concentrate power para sila ang mag-control; they want to accumulate in order to advance their neocolonial interests.”

With the territorial tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea, Lidasan also stated that US imperialism remains the greater threat to the nation, stating it as the primary contradiction that must be solved first. 

“Inter-imperialist war, ibig sabihin ay mag-aaway talaga sila… Sa proxy war, meron talagang lumalaban para sa independence at sovereignty, at tumitindig laban sa imperyalismo… Walang nagsasabi na ‘let’s support China’ doon sa laban sa US kasi alam natin ang imperyalistang ginagawa ng Tsina sa atin… Tinitingnan natin ang nangunguna at primary sa lahat ng kontradiksyon,” she clarified. 

In 2025, the US and its allies, including the Philippines, signed the 13th Pax Silica strategic agreement to counter China’s monopoly in terms of technology manufacturing in the advent of the Artificial Intelligence (A.I) age.

However, multiple progressive groups warn that it is more than an international economic initiative, but rather a blatant attempt to turn the country into a US military-industrial complex in Asia. 

Konsensya Dabaw Convener Mags Maglana cautioned that the entry of the Philippines into the Pax Silica will result in the further exploitation of its mineral wealth, resulting to enviornmental destruction over foreign interests. 

“Ang Pax Silica usa ka Europe-tested, local framework para i-secure ang global supply chain para sa microchips ug semiconductors, in support of Artificial Intelligence. Ang klaro niini ang Pilipinas nisulod na sa Pax Silica… Saklawon niini ang critical minerals nga kinahanglan ani… kini na mga mineral asa makita? Diri sa Mindanao,” Maglana stated. 

South Eastern Mindanao Ecumenical Council (SEMREC) Representative Rev. Sarly Templado described how the hands of US imperialism affect the everyday lives of ordinary Filipinos. 

“Kaning imperyalismo, kung atong tan-awon, taas ug layo kaayo, pero diay ato ra ni katupad, ato ra diay kaatubang, ato ra diay gikaon kay sa matag presyo, kasakit, kamahal, kapait, kini diay resulta lamang sa presensiya sa Imperyalismo nga nag-igting sa atong kahimtang.” 

The “OCCUPATION AND RESISTANCE: a Forum on US Wars of Aggression” was held on June 6, 2026, in Davao City.