Progressive organizations and students gathered at the University of the Philippines Cebu on May 8 to challenge the Asean Summit 2026's claimed 'people-centered' agenda.
The event, dubbed 'Imperialist Crisis and War: A People's Alternative Forum to the Asean Summit 2026,' scrutinized issues of militarization, labor rights, and the privatization of public spaces.
Participants voiced concerns over the lack of representation for ordinary citizens in Asean's regional decision-making.
Questioning Asean's Agenda
Neil Lorenzo Diola, a speaker at the forum, criticized the Asean agenda's focus on cooperation and inclusion, arguing it fails to address the realities faced by marginalized groups.
It really has nothing to do with regionalism or internationalism. It has everything to do about stabilizing social contestation within Southeast Asia itself.
Neil Lorenzo Diola, UP Cebu
Diola highlighted Asean's principle of 'non-interference,' which discourages member states from addressing human rights issues within each other's borders.
Privatization of Public Spaces
Gabrielle Charisse Saavedra of LFS Cebu addressed the commercialization of public spaces, noting that many have been replaced by malls.
That is the problem now, because most public spaces are already in malls.
Gabrielle Charisse Saavedra
Saavedra pointed out that the lack of accessible public areas limits where students and families can gather.
Calls for Genuine Participation
Forum organizers emphasized the need for labor rights and democratic participation in regional cooperation.
The event concluded with a march outside UP Cebu, led by various progressive groups to amplify their concerns during the Asean Summit.