Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promoted the Luzon Economic Corridor to a gathering of more than 600 foreign investors and officials last week, while protests erupted outside the venue, highlighting growing opposition to the US-backed initiative. The demonstration underscored concerns among some groups about the potential exploitation of the country's resources amid broader debates over foreign investment.
The two-day Luzon Economic Corridor Investment Forum was held Thursday and Friday at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, Manila. The event was sponsored by the US Trade and Development Authority and jointly hosted by the Philippines, the United States, and Japan, following the corridor’s announcement at a 2024 summit. The initiative, originally focused on linking three major ports and two international airports across four cities on Luzon island, has since expanded to include development plans in energy, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, shipbuilding, critical minerals, and advanced manufacturing.
During his address, Marcos emphasized the increasing support the project has attracted from various nations, including Canada, Australia, Denmark, France, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the European Union. He characterized this multinational backing as a sign of confidence in the Philippines as a stable and attractive destination for long-term investment. Marcos noted that the government's aim is not merely to draw investments but to secure projects that enhance the national economy and build Filipino capabilities.
Despite the official optimism, tension flared outside the forum when protesters, backed by human rights organization Karapatan, clashed with police. The group reported that over two dozen supporters were injured and five paralegals were arrested during demonstrations opposing what they described as a "US-backed open house for the plunder of Philippine resources." Protesters also voiced strong resistance to the Pax Silica industrial zone planned for New Clark City within the corridor. This 1,620-hectare facility is part of a US-led coalition designed to counter China’s influence over critical supply chains, such as artificial intelligence and semiconductor production.
The Pax Silica project has drawn criticism for potentially displacing farmers and indigenous communities and prompting environmental concerns. While the Philippines and Singapore are the only Southeast Asian members of this three-nation bloc, the initiative has faced vocal opposition online and on the ground.
Public sentiment toward the United States remains generally favorable. A June survey by Social Weather Stations found that 60 percent of Filipinos expressed positive views toward the US, with only 18 percent reporting distrust. Analysts suggest that recent protests are largely fueled by younger generations, particularly those in Gen Z, rather than a broad-based rejection of the American presence.
Sonny Africa, executive director of the IBON Foundation, a Manila-based non-profit think tank, described the protests as politically significant. He noted that positive perceptions of the US do not necessarily translate into acceptance of all US-led economic or military projects. Africa cautioned that increased public awareness of historical US dominance and current geopolitical tensions could potentially lead to a wider anti-American sentiment in the future.