Several Philippine political groups continue to voice their opposition to the proposed Pax Silica industrial hub as US President Donald J. Trump prepares to visit the country for the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, which the Philippines is hosting.

Malacañang has not confirmed whether Mr. Trump's stay will coincide with an agreement for the proposed industrial hub, which is expected to bring in approximately $70 billion (P4.4 billion) in investments.

On Monday, the US Embassy in the Philippines reaffirmed Washington's "iron-clad" commitment to Manila, underscoring the need for a strong economic partnership between the two nations.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) disputed that message in a statement sent to BusinessWorld via Viber, invoking the legacy of Subic and Clark, the former US military facilities that closed in the early 1990s. "The long term relationship mentioned by the US ambassador conveniently whitewashes the colonial crimes of the US, the century of plunder of our resources, and the use of our lands as staging and training grounds to attack our neighbors when we hosted Subic and Clark bases," the group said.

BAYAN launched its "Trump Out!" campaign on Oct. 30, with the Pax Silica deal listed as one of its major complaints. Progressive organizations such as Panday Sining have likewise issued statements condemning the project, describing it as a US-led coalition to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence infrastructure without benefit to the Filipino people.

BAYAN led a protest against the Pax Silica project on Sept. 10 outside the US Embassy during the Luzon Economic Corridor investors forum. A similar mobilization is scheduled for Nov. 16, the opening day of the 2026 ASEAN Summit. Whether the visit produces a signed agreement, and how the Nov. 16 mobilization proceeds, are the immediate developments to watch as the summit begins.

Source: BusinessWorld — Francessca S. Abalos