Teachers, professors, and students gathered at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City on Thursday to voice their opposition to the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative.
The demonstration marked the launch of the Schools and Colleges Resist the Aggression and Plunder of Pax Silica (Scrap Pax Silica) alliance, a group representing more than 500 education stakeholders. The coalition includes college deans, faculty regents, and union presidents from institutions such as the University of the Philippines Diliman, Ateneo de Manila University, and Philippine Normal University, according to The Manila Times.
The protest comes as the Philippines prepares for the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, scheduled for November 16 to 18. This regional gathering will include a visit from U.S. President Donald Trump, an event that organizers say has become a flashpoint for concerns regarding national sovereignty and economic independence.
“The Philippines will just be a pawn of the US’ technological war with China,” Ramon Guillermo, one of the Scrap Pax Silica lead initiators, told The Manila Times. He argued that national industrialization is the necessary path for the country to escape poverty and reliance on the United States.
The tension over semiconductor supply chains
Pax Silica is a multinational coalition established in December 2025 to secure global supply chains for artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and critical minerals. The Inquirer reported that the Philippines joined the initiative on April 17, designating a 1,620-hectare site in New Clark City, Tarlac, to host its projects.
While the government views the initiative as a massive economic driver, critics see a different reality on the ground. The Department of Trade and Industry has said that the initiative could attract between $40 billion and $70 billion in investments and potentially generate up to 190,000 jobs. However, the specific details of the agreement remain a point of contention.
The Scrap Pax Silica alliance has criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the deal. The group said that no draft resolution or formal plan has been released by the participating parties, even as the Department of Trade and Industry clarified that no formal signing would occur during the upcoming ASEAN Summit.
The chosen site in Tarlac is part of the ancestral domain of the Aeta Hanguey community. The Bases Conversion and Development Authority recently notified the community to vacate the area by December, a move that has fueled accusations of dispossession.
Ruby Bernardo, head of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, questioned the impact of the project on local populations, asking, “If Pax Silica is truly for the benefit of the Philippines, why must people suffer first?”
“Labor, land, and minerals should serve the people and the planet, not fuel the wars and ambitions of imperialist powers,” said Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg in a social media video.
Thunberg’s entry into the debate highlights the international scrutiny facing the project. As reported by Philstar.com, the activist joined other organizers in calling for the rejection of the initiative, arguing that the 1,620-hectare hub could degrade the environment and displace farming and fishing communities.
Protests expand across the capital
| Category | Government/Proponent Projection | Critic/Protester Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Value | $40 billion to $70 billion | Lack of transparent draft resolutions |
| Employment | Up to 190,000 jobs | Displacement of Aeta and farming communities |
| Land Use | 1,620-hectare industrial hub | Loss of ancestral domains and environmental risk |
As the ASEAN Summit approaches, the tension between industrial ambition and community rights remains unresolved. While the government expects the formal signing of the Pax Silica framework to occur before the end of 2026, the streets are preparing for continued demonstrations on November 17.
The central question remains whether the promised economic windfall can be achieved without compromising the sovereignty and livelihoods of the communities living on the front lines of the new technological corridor.
Rare MYOF Genetic Variant Linked to Angioedema With Normal C1-INH Levels
A rare genetic variant in the MYOF gene may explain why a 51-year-old woman suffered from recurring angioedema...
Liver Proteins May Protect Brain Cells and Memory in Alzheimer’s Mice
Liver-derived proteins may offer a new way to protect brain cells and improve memory in Alzheimer’s disease models,...
Government Considering Special Session for Delimitation Bill: The Hindu
The Indian government is considering a special session of Parliament to push through the Delimitation Bill, 2026, according...
CDC Reports Six Measles Deaths as US Faces Major Resurgence
Six measles-related deaths have been reported in the United States this year, according to new data from the...