MAKATI CITY — About 100 youth activists wearing blonde wigs and business suits staged a protest outside Trump Tower on Thursday, opposing U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Manila for the 49th ASEAN Summit and criticizing his administration’s policies on immigration, militarism and national sovereignty.

Organized by Akbayan Youth, the demonstration carried the slogan “Deport Trump!” in protest of the U.S. administration’s deportation policies, which the group said have affected thousands of migrants, including Filipinos living in the United States.

“Under Trump, migrants, people of color, and minorities are the first targets of fear, abuse, and deportation,” said Khylla Meneses, Akbayan Youth national chairperson.

Meneses said Trump’s policies have subjected immigrant communities, including Filipinos in the U.S., to harassment and uncertainty.

The group also expressed solidarity with Americans who opposed Trumpism in the recent U.S. midterm elections, saying the results demonstrated resistance to politics based on division, intolerance and attacks on democratic institutions.

Akbayan Youth said Trump’s policies have consequences beyond the United States, citing their potential effects on the Philippines through racism, militarism and conflicts that threaten national sovereignty.

The group also warned that escalating wars could drive up fuel and food prices, adding to the economic burden on ordinary Filipinos.

Meanwhile, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) questioned the reported postponement of the signing of the proposed Pax Silica agreement during Trump’s Manila visit, alleging that the United States was seeking additional concessions from the Philippines, particularly on territorial control and legal jurisdiction over the proposed Economic Security Zone (ESZ) in Capas, Tarlac.

BAYAN raised concerns following a statement by Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo that the agreement would not be signed during Trump’s visit, contrary to earlier expectations.

The group alleged that Washington was pushing for arrangements that would give U.S. entities special control over portions of Philippine territory and economic activities, potentially exempting them from Philippine laws and regulations.

It described the proposed Pax Silica initiative as part of the U.S. strategy to secure global supply chains for artificial intelligence and other strategic technologies while countering China and strengthening its economic and military influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

BAYAN also expressed concern that the proposed hub could serve as an enclave for U.S. military-industrial and technology companies, granting them special privileges and protections.

It further linked the proposed economic security zone to the continuing expansion of U.S. military capabilities in the Philippines, comparing the possible arrangements to facilities covered by the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

The group urged the Marcos administration to release the draft Pax Silica agreement, including provisions on territorial control, legal jurisdiction, regulatory exemptions, taxation, security arrangements and privileges sought by the United States.

“The Filipino people have every right to know what Washington is demanding and what the Marcos government is prepared to surrender in exchange for the promised investments,” BAYAN said.

The organization opposed what it described as secret negotiations involving Philippine territory and sovereign rights, saying the agreement could affect national patrimony, natural resources, indigenous peoples and farming communities.

BAYAN maintained that the absence of a signing ceremony during Trump’s visit did not mean the negotiations had ended, but alleged that the United States was seeking more favorable terms while the Philippine government continued negotiations. (Ang Pahayagan Reportorial Desk)