PRESS RELEASE: Filipinos across U.S. protest corruption, plunder and fascism under U.S.-backed Marcos Jr regime,while Philippine officials cater to foreign investment at UN General Assembly
For Immediate Release
September 21, 2026
Contact: Joell Manguerra, info@bayanusa.org, (503) 867-8380
Press Kit | Interviews available upon request
Filipinos across U.S. protest corruption, plunder and fascism under U.S.-backed Marcos Jr regime, while Philippine officials cater to foreign investment at UN General Assembly
Actions mark 1 year since mass anti-corruption protest in Philippines
New York - Thousands across the United States protested the continued flooding and displacement across the Philippines resulting from corruption under Marcos Jr. Rallies demanded the accountability of corrupt Philippine officials amassing wealth through kickbacks from ghost flood control projects and deals that unequally benefit the U.S. and its collaborators, like the Pax Silica initiative. The protests take place simultaneous to the Opening of the UNGA81 in New York City, where Philippine state officials have gathered in the absence of Philippine President Marcos Jr.
"Thousands of Filipinos are suffering from illness, death and displacement as a result of floods and foreign mining operations while a small number of corrupt bureaucrats and their cronies live in luxury. They are completely divorced from the realities of millions struggling in poverty, while they squander public funds meant for flood control and broker deals like Pax Silica that primarily benefit American capitalists and U.S. interests. Marcos Jr and Ambassador Romualdez do not care that this will displace Aeta indigenous people and sell out our mineral wealth for the benefit of foreign countries. What they care about are more opportunities for kickbacks and U.S. support to remain in power.Their corruption spells a deadly future for Filipinos." stated Tabs Gabriel of Malaya USA.
Protests took on various forms also marking the 54th Anniversary of Marcos Sr. declaring Martial Law in the Philippines. Vigils were held to commemorate the martyrs and defenders of Philippine sovereignty and to protest continued human rights violations perpetrated by Philippine state forces, such as the Negros 19 massacre and the illegal detention of Fil-Am activist Christina Pasion.
"Malacañang is pre-occupied with silencing dissent and targeting those speaking out against corruption, foreign plunder, and state neglect. In the U.S., migrant workers are neglected and targeted by the Philippine Embassy and Consulates for demanding protections. In the Philippines, the needs of the poor are ignored and those demanding change such as the Negros 19 are silenced. Meanwhile, Marcos Jr. stated yesterday to the UN General Assembly via recorded message that progress is measured by 'whether families have sufficient food, children receive quality education, communities have access to healthcare and decent employment and the most vulnerable are protected from poverty, inequality, conflict, disasters, and climate change.' Marcos Jr. puts on a show about caring for the people, but his words lack action. The Filipino people are continuing to fight and demand action to address the systemic corruption and the worsening economic crisis that causes undue suffering and even more kababayan to migrate abroad. We demand genuine agrarian reform that provides for the people and jobs with living wages through building our own national industries." said Kai Marie of Migrante USA.
The September 21 protests come after the launch of the Shut Down Pax Silica Campaign Network in New York City, attended by 500+ people and sponsored by over 50 organizations as of writing. Groups from across the country gathered in New York City to protest U.S. war and plunder during the United Nations General Assembly where heads of state and Philippine officials are convening, this includes Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Tess Lazaro, and DENR chief Juan Miguel Cuna.
"Secretary Lazaro, Ambassador Romualdez, and Chief Cuna are shameless for selling out our country on behalf of the Marcos Jr regime. They continue to be subservient to the fascist Trump administration and the interests of U.S. imperialism. Filipinos in the U.S. reject our homeland being used as ground zero to supply resources for U.S. artificial intelligence and technology for war. The continued presence of U.S. military and war material across the archipelago is dragging the Filipino people into a war we do not want. Through the launch of the Shut Down Pax Silica Network inspired by the Network to Oppose Pax Silica in the Philippines, we will fight back and call on others to join us. Following this week of action to confront state officials gathered for the UN General Assembly, the movement to oppose US war and plunder will only continue to grow!" stated Nieves Delgado of BAYAN USA.
For details on the Shut Down Pax Silica Campaign Network visit: https://www.bayanusa.org/shutdownpax
For more on the No to War and Plunder Week of Action from September 20-27: https://www.ilps.us/2026-unga-woa
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