As an ordinary Filipino concerned about peace, justice, and our nation’s future, I am alarmed by the escalating geopolitical tensions stoked by U.S. President Donald Trump and his billionaire backers. His rhetoric and policies are dangerously provocative, designed to secure U.S. dominance at the expense of global stability. The Philippines, positioned in the Asia-Pacific, risks being dragged into wars not of our making, turning our land and people into pawns of empire. Trump’s disregard for diplomacy weakens global institutions, fuels arms races, and breeds mistrust among nations. Small sparks in places like the South China Sea or the Middle East could trigger interconnected conflicts that spiral into world war. Such a catastrophe would devastate Filipino families, wasting resources meant for education, health, and development. We must resist militarism and demand leaders who value life, dignity, and genuine peace for our children’s future.
Let me lay out the pattern that worries me:
1. Tension with China Using the Philippines as a Pawn
The West Philippine Sea is now a flashpoint. Under the Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S., we in the Philippines risk becoming a frontline in a U.S.-China conflict. Recently, U.S. military presence in the region has increased under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Chinese aggression is real, but the U.S. is not just defending us—it is using us as a strategic location in its wider geopolitical game.
The domino effect here is real: any military confrontation between U.S. and China could pull ASEAN nations, Japan, South Korea, and even Australia into a regional war with global consequences.
2. Tension with Iran and the Middle East Domino
With U.S. airstrikes and proxy wars heating up in the Middle East, especially under right-leaning administrations, Iran is being boxed into a corner. The U.S. has supported Israeli strikes on Iranian consulates, a clear breach of international law, increasing the risk of Iran retaliating—potentially drawing in Russia, China, and their allies.
Again, a domino effect looms: a conflict with Iran could ignite war across the Middle East, involving Israel, Hezbollah, Syria, and the broader Muslim world.
3. Bombing the Houthis in Yemen
The U.S. continues to bomb Houthi positions in Yemen, in supposed defense of shipping routes. But this is not just about the Red Sea—it’s about maintaining U.S. military dominance in the region. This has already escalated humanitarian suffering and risks sparking wider regional involvement, especially from Iran.
4. Abandoning Ukraine, Favouring Russia
Trump has openly signaled a shift in U.S. support from Ukraine to a more neutral—or even pro-Russia—stance. This weakens the global coalition against authoritarian aggression and emboldens Russia’s imperial ambitions. The vacuum of leadership risks fracturing Europe and undermining global democratic alliances.
5. Still Involved in Multiple Armed Conflicts
The U.S. continues to maintain over 750 military bases in 80 countries, and is involved—either directly or through proxies—in dozens of armed conflicts. This is not a force for peace. It is an empire stretched thin, risking collapse and dragging others down with it.
What Can We Do as Ordinary Citizens of the Philippines?
We cannot remain silent or passive. We must:
1. Assert Our Sovereignty. Demand from our government an independent foreign policy. We should not be a pawn in anyone’s war—not China’s, not America’s. The Philippines must advocate for peace, diplomacy, and multilateral dialogue in ASEAN and beyond.
2. Educate and Mobilize. Use our voices, platforms, churches, schools, and communities to raise awareness about the risks of war. Peace education and civic engagement must be at the heart of our national defense.
3. Support Peaceful Alternatives. Advocate for non-alignment, regional cooperation, and demilitarization. Strengthen our local resilience—economically, socially, and politically—so we are less vulnerable to foreign manipulation.
4. Hold Our Leaders Accountable. Demand transparency on military agreements like EDCA and VFA. Call for a foreign policy that prioritizes Filipino lives, not the interests of foreign powers.
5. Join the Global Peace Movement. Align with international networks resisting war and advocating for a just and sustainable peace.
We Filipinos must never forget: we are not chess pieces on a global board—we are human beings with dignity, agency, and the right to live in peace.
If we do not speak now, we risk being swept into a war we did not choose and cannot win.
