Over 100 activists took to the streets in front of the US Embassy in Manilla, protesting increased US military presence projected as a result of a potential agreement between President Obama and the Filipino government. The Associated Press was on the ground, and published this report: (via startribune.com)
“Riot policemen blocked the flag-waving activists near the heavily fortified embassy compound but the protesters slipped past them, sparking a brief scuffle in view of motorists stuck in traffic.
The police sprayed the protesters with water from a fire truck to push them away. A police officer was punched in the face in the melee but no arrests were made. Some of the protesters carried paper
U.S. flags with the message: “Obama, not welcome.”
Obama arrives in Manila on Monday for an overnight stop after visiting Japan, South Korea and Malaysia on an Asian trip in which he is expected to reassure allied nations enmeshed in long-running territorial disputes with an increasingly assertive China.
The United States and the Philippines, which are treaty allies, have been scrambling to overcome differences to finalize a new security accord in time for Obama’s visit.
The accord would allow more U.S. troops, aircraft and ships to be temporarily stationed in selected Philippine military camps as a counterweight to China and as a standby disaster-response force. About 500 American soldiers have been based in the southern Philippines since 2002 to provide anti-terrorism training andintelligence to Filipino troops battling al-Qaida-linked militants.”
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