Makabayan decries alleged US airstrike plan in Marawi

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The militant Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives on Thursday condemned the alleged airstrike plan of the US government in Marawi City, calling it a threat to the country’s sovereignty.

“Kami ngayon sa Makabayan ay buong buo na tumututol, nagkukundina, at nanawagan ng paglaban ng lahat ng mga Pilipino sa plano ng US na direktang manghimasok na at manggiyera sa mga Pilipino, labag ito sa soberanya ng Pilipinas,” Act Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said in a press conference.

Tinio also said any government official who would support the plans of the US is a “traitor to his country.”

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said the alleged airstrike plan is no different to the “hegemonic acts of the US in the Middle East and in Syria.”

“Sa halip na ito ay pupuksa sa mga terorista, ang mga sibilyan ang karamihang nagiging biktima rito,” Zarate said.

Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago expressed hope that the Duterte administration would not allow the Philippines to become Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, or Yemen.

“Hindi po tayo maka-Tsina o makaano mang bayan; tayo ay maka-Pilipinas, maka-Pilipino,” Elago said.

Military officials, however, have denied reports that Pentagon is eyeing to conduct airstrikes in Marawi city, which has long been besieged by Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorists battling out with government troops. The whole Mindanao island has been placed under an extended martial law since the terrorists attacked Marawi City in late May. with reports from Teriz Castro, Inquirer.net trainee

READ: Bayan denounces US planned airstrike in Mindanao