By Mark Vincent A. Durano and Kasharelle Khail R. Javier

Far Eastern University (FEU) student-led group Tamaraws for Palestine claimed the United States’ (US) militarization as a common struggle for Israel’s genocide in Palestine and the ongoing West Philippine Sea (WPS) disputes in a solidarity protest at FEU Gate 4 yesterday, July 15.

While also holding a candle-lighting vigil in support of Palestinian resistance, the rally marked the newly established organization’s first mobilization.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, Tamaraws for Palestine Secretary and first-year Internal Auditing Angel Nicholai Manginsay claimed that China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea and US-Israel’s genocide in the Arab State are both situations of colonization.

“Hindi nalalayo ‘yung situation natin ngayon sa Palestine since sa West Philippine Sea, right? [The] US is behind that (Our situation today is not that far from Palestine’s since in the West Philippine Sea, right? The US is behind that),” she said.

The protesters decried that the US’ funding of Israeli arms to colonize Palestine is not different from its militarization in the West Philippine Sea as they plan to increase Foreign Military Financing from $40 million to $500 million.

Additionally, the Visiting Forces Agreement and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement allow US military presence in the country, building bases and joint military exercises in the Philippines. 

Manginsay also stressed on the possibility of the US ‘betraying’ the country after presenting themselves as allies amid the imposed domination of China in the WPS.

“It is really dangerous na kapag sinasabi ng US na nasa likod n’ya tayo pero (when the US says that we are behind them but) what if they really betray [us], what would we do, right? ... We never know what’s going on with Biden’s mind,” she added.

The organization’s secretary also urged the importance of student participation and deeper understanding on various causes, particularly the situation in Palestine which caused a clamor online.

The protesters also stood firm that the situation in Palestine is not just a war but an ethnic cleansing.

Israel’s domination over the Arab State started over a century ago, even before Israelis displaced millions of Palestinians since the Nakba in 1948. 

As reported by Al Jazeera, Gaza’s Health Ministry stated that Israel has claimed over 38,000 Palestinian lives as of July 8 since the Hamas-led strike last October 7. 

A study by Lancet also emphasized that the death toll of genocide in Gaza could reach more than 186,000 due to indirect deaths caused by loss of health facilities, food delivery systems, and other public infrastructure. 

(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)