Vol. VII, No. 21 - November 15, 2025

About a year ago, US military officials created Task Force Ayungin, a unit purportedly to assist in the “resupply” operations for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ship BRP Sierra Madre which was deliberately stranded at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. The US has been providing military equipment and other necessary resources, as well as aerial and satellite surveillance support. In short, the AFP’s “resupply missions” are maritime operations directly commanded and controlled by the US military.

Then, on October 31, 2025 during the Asean Defense Ministers Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with second fiddler Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr, announced the formation of the Task Force Philippines, under the US Indo-Pacific Command. This is based on the concept and operations of the Task Force Ayungin, and aimed at directing the AFP’s “external defense” operations from the South China Sea to the Luzon Strait against alleged “coercive and aggressive” actions by China in the region.

The Communist Party of the Philippines condemned the formation of Task Force Philippines as the latest ploy of the imperialist US and is a clear indication of higher levels of intervention in the country. It serves the framework of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy aimed at surrounding its imperialist rival, China, and preventing its growing military and economic power.

“For many years now, the US has been exploiting and exacerbating the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China, in order to justify the use of the Mutual Defense Treaty and other unequal military agreements to strengthen its military presence in the Philippines. It has established at least nine US military bases recognized under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).”

There are more unacknowledged bases and facilities of the US across the country, including an AFP facility on Mavulis Island in Batanes, bases in Ilocos Norte, Aurora, Quezon, Mindoro, Panay, and various parts of Palawan. These facilities are staffed by American officials and soldiers or are equipped with weapons like the Typhon missile system and other powerful weapons. The US also plans to establish ammunition, drone, and other weapon manufacturing sites in the country. Additionally, there are plans for the US to set up a refueling depot in the vast waters of Davao Gulf.

To facilitate countries allied with the US to utilize the maritime and land territories of the Philippines for US-led military operations, Marcos Jr and his predecessors have entered into “visiting forces” agreements with Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and now, Canada.

On November 2, DND Secretary Teodoro Jr and Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty signed the Philippines-Canada Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA). It also allegedly affirms the earlier Defense Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding signed in January 2024 between the two armed forces and governments.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) condemned the governments of the Philippines and Canada for signing the SOVFA. Bayan asserted that the agreement allows Canadian troops to enter and leave Philippine territory to take part in war games and other types of activities that, according to Bayan, trample on the country’s national sovereignty.

The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) likewise condemned this agreement. ICHRP said that the agreement “is purported to ‘ensure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific’. It will do the opposite, and further heighten tensions between the USA and China in the South China Sea.”  It called on the government of Canada to uphold an independent foreign policy, to terminate the SOVFA, and to use its diplomacy and influence to call for a just peace in the Philippines.

There is an urgent need for the Filipinos to unite and prevent the US from provoking war and dragging the Philippines into conflict with China. Dismantle all US military bases and send home all interventionist forces.