Following the recent collision involving two Chinese ships near Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) has renewed its call for the demilitarization of the seas and the removal of both Chinese and United States military forces from Philippine waters.

BAYAN criticized the “provocative maneuver” of the Chinese vessels but also condemned the “sudden deployment” of two US warships in the same area, calling both reckless acts that escalate tensions in the region.

“We call for the immediate demilitarization of the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea, and for the Philippine government to stop its joint patrols and maritime exercises with the US military.”

The group accused Philippine authorities of focusing solely on Chinese incursions while “deliberately turning a blind eye” to US military movements. It described the arrival of the two US warships as “a deliberate demonstration of US military power, clearly intended to assert dominance despite the risk of escalating maritime tensions and compromising the Philippines’ national security.”

BAYAN warned that what is being billed as a “brief” US deployment near Panatag Shoal could easily evolve into a permanent presence. This, it said, is enabled by the expansion of US military facilities under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

“The Marcos government and the US are intentionally exploiting our maritime dispute with China to stage US-led navy patrols, war drills, and military exercises that use live fire weapons,” BAYAN added. “The presence of US warships on our waters is an alarming sign of military buildup in addition to the earlier deployment of Typhon, Nemesis, and other missile systems.”

The group also reiterated its opposition to China’s continued assertion of its “bogus nine-dash line” claim, which it said is being used as a pretext for Washington to strengthen its military foothold in the Philippines.

BAYAN stressed that the near-confrontation of Chinese and US warships near Panatag Shoal underscores the urgent need for peaceful, diplomatic solutions to the maritime dispute. It called on the government to dismantle US military facilities, withdraw foreign troops, and junk both the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and EDCA.