Lawmakers from the Makabayan Bloc released a joint statement Sunday, condemning in the strongest terms the coordinated military strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran that plunged the Middle East region into a chaotic situation over the weekend.
The act of aggression represented a dangerous escalation that threatened to push the entire region into a catastrophic war with global implications, according to party-list representatives Antonio Tinio (Alliance of Concerned Teachers), Sarah Jane Elago (Gabriela), and Renee Louise Co (Kabataan).
“The so-called preemptive attack is nothing but naked imperialism cloaked in the rhetoric of self-defense. The United States and Israel have once again demonstrated their utter disregard for international law, national sovereignty, and the lives of ordinary people who will bear the brunt of this military adventure. The attack is a crime against peace and independence in Iran and the entire region,” their joint statement read.
The bloc also criticized the timing of the assault during the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims around the world observe fasting and prayer. The group said this revealed the contempt the imperialist powers had for the religious and cultural sensibilities of Muslim peoples.
“We reject the justifications offered by Washington and Tel Aviv. The claim that Iran poses an imminent threat is the same tired pretext used to justify decades of US military interventions across the globe — from Iraq to Libya to Afghanistan,” the lawmakers said.
“These wars of aggression have brought nothing but death, destruction, and instability, enriching arms manufacturers and securing control over strategic resources while leaving millions dead and displaced,” they added.
The Makabayan Bloc said the attack exposed the hypocrisy of Western powers who claim to champion diplomacy while planning military strikes. They urged the Philippine government not to condone these developments.
“We call on the Marcos Jr. administration to condemn this act of aggression and to refuse any participation in or support for US military operations against Iran, especially using the EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) sites. The Philippines must not allow its territory, airspace, or waters to be used as staging grounds for imperialist wars,” they emphasized.
