The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has sharply criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s upcoming state visit to the United States from July 20 to 22, labeling it an urgent summons from US President Donald Trump.
The CPP asserts that the trip is a maneuver to cement US economic and military interests in the Philippines ahead of Marcos’ fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28.
In a statement, CPP Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena warned that the visit is intended to secure concessions favorable to the US, including the expansion of its military footprint and the protection of its trade agenda.
“Trump plans to use the recently announced 20% tariff on Philippine exports as leverage to exact even bigger deals with the Philippines in favor of US interests,” Valbuena said.
“It is certain that Marcos’ state visit to the US and scheduled talk with Trump will shape his policy declarations that are to be delivered during his upcoming SONA,” he added.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio first announced the visit during the ASEAN Regional Forum held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and later confirmed by the Palace’s Presidential Communications Office.
Valbuena stated that the state visit is expected to influence Marcos’ policy agenda for the SONA. “We anticipate announcements on liberalization, privatization, deregulation, and denationalization—strategies long aligned with US economic prescriptions.”
According to the CPP, the 20th Congress is poised to support such policy directions, which it claims will further entrench foreign corporate dominance and deepen the country’s neocolonial economic ties.
The party also expressed alarm over the continued presence of US military personnel and war exercises in Philippine territory, citing risks to regional stability and sovereignty.
“The Filipino people must act decisively against the deepening subservience of the Marcos regime to foreign powers. National dignity and sovereignty are at stake,” Valbuena emphasized. (ZIA LUNA)
