‘His presence in our territory is unacceptable’: Women’s groups oppose Trump’s visit to PH, Pax Silica

MANILA — Calling the U.S. president’s presence in the Philippines “unacceptable,” women’s groups opposed Donald Trump’s upcoming visit for the ASEAN Summit, as well as the Pax Silica initiative.

Feminist movement World March of Women held a press conference on the matter on Friday with its national coordinator, Jean Enriquez, citing allegations of sexual misconduct against Trump.


“His presence in our territories is unacceptable. We know from verified accounts that at least 28 women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct, harassment, assault, and rape. 11 women have reportedly led the U.S. president to Jeffrey Epstein’s prostitution ring,” Enriquez said.

Enriquez added that they reject “leaders who normalize sexual violence,” while also mentioning Vice President Sara Duterte.


“This continuous perpetuation of violence underscores the urgency of challenging the impunity of men like Trump, like Duterte. And more recently, we heard also of Sara Duterte making very sexist jokes in Hong Kong,” Enriquez said.

Enriquez continued, “We reject these people or leaders who normalize sexual violence.”

She said Pax Silica threatens local watersheds and harms people, especially amid El Niño.


“My sisters will also talk about how Pax Silica is projected to intensify extraction of silica sand and therefore mining, and will also require tens of– to hundreds of millions of liters of water daily for cooling data centers and producing ultrapure water for semiconductor manufacturing. This Pax Silica risks draining our local watersheds and will kill our people facing El Niño-induced spells,” Enriquez said.

For Enriquez, the various collective actions opposing Trump’s visit, including protests, indicate a “resonating rejection” of the U.S. president.

On Friday, students from various universities staged walkouts to call out the Pax Silica initiative and to go against Trump’s visit.
“I think this indicates a resonating rejection of Trump… We might be holding quick reaction events that will still register our protests and rejection of Trump across the Philippines,” Enriquez said.

WomanHealth Philippines National Coordinator Ana Maria Nemenzo said they consider Trump “personally as a persona non grata.”
“We reject Trump personally as a persona non grata. He did not only has the dominant power right now, but he, himself, has violated women’s rights,”

Nemenzo added, they do not want to be trapped in a situation involving the U.S. and its rivalry with China.
“Nandito na ang mga missiles. Andito na lahat. It’s part of that framework of their competition, their rivalry with China. Ayaw nating maipit sa ganyang sitwasyon. And yet kung hindi tayo kikilos at tayo tututol ay ganyan na ang nangyayari,” Nemenzo said.

Addressing Trump, LILAK’s Pia Bonifacio said Philippine lands are not “sacrifice zones” for industrial and military ambitions.

This is in reference to U.S. military presence in the Philippines.
“The Philippines is not your resource base. Our lands are not sacrifice zones for your industrial and military ambitions. Indigenous women’s bodies and lives are not collateral damage in the pursuit of foreign interest. Our lands are not commodities,” Bonifacio said, then reiterated the call to reject Pax Silica.