DAVAO CITY, Philippines—The first visit of U.S. Ambassador Lee Lipton to Davao City raised concerns from activists that this signals continuing U.S. military and economic interests in Mindanao.
Lipton, recently assigned to the Philippines in May, made his first trip in Mindanao with a courtesy call on Davao City Mayor Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte on Oct. 22.
Embassy members accompanied Lipton, while Duterte was joined by his party-mate, Sen. Robinhood Padilla, and other city officials.
The ambassador posted a photo on the embassy’s Facebook page posing with Dabawenyos waving American flags, with a quote: “With people like this, it is easy to see nothing but POTENTIAL for what we can achieve together.” https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19daTGJrqU/
Padilla, a popular actor who converted to Islam, praised the visit. On social media, he said the visit “aims to open the grand door to free and safe business for the progress of the Land of Promise.” He also said the visit “strengthens their economic and charitable programs in Mindanao and BARMM.”
Duterte ally and 3rd District Rep. Isidro Ungab told pro-Duterte media saying that the visit shows Davao City leaders welcome diplomats despite ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China.
“That will correct the narrative na anti-US kaming mga Davao. We are friends to all, US, China etc. Happy kami na dumating dito si US Amba Lipton (That will correct the narrative that we Dabawenyos are anti-U.S. We are friends to all — the U.S., China, etc. We are happy that U.S. Ambassador Lipton came here.),” Ungab said.
The League of Filipino Students Davao chapter said in a statement it is wary of the recent visits of diplomats such as Lipton and Italian Ambassador Davide Gigilo on October 20, “these serve as a cover to deepen foreign intervention across Davao and Mindanao,” the group said.
“This high-level meeting raises serious alarms over the looming threats of a U.S. Davao oil depot to supply military logistics, as well as the ongoing imposition of Balikatan military exercises in Paquibato District. Rather than benefiting the public, these military maneuvers lead to heightened militarization, harassment and human rights violations against local farmers and Indigenous Lumad communities,” the group said. See related story: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FScrKC6jt/
The LFS reminded Mayor Duterte that welcoming the American ambassador contradicts the Davao City government’s official statement in April opposing the establishment of foreign military facilities and oil depots in the Davao Region. (Read the statement here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Lh8LJjXdr/ )
Former Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel believed that Lipton’s visit to Davao signals that the U.S. is monitoring the political developments leading to the 2028 elections.
Vice President Sara Duterte, the frontrunner based on surveys, is facing possible impeachment for corruption and unexplained wealth.
“It wants to make sure that regardless of who is the next Philippine president, its military-industrial investments will prosper. Not just Pax Silica projects. But also its oil depot in Davao Region. The U.S. plays with all traditional political factions,” Manuel said.
He also observed the visit serves the interests of the Dutertes, seeking recognition from the international community despite their strong ties to China.
“It is a display of convergence: on one hand, U.S. desperation for neocolonial strongholds; on the other, the Duterte dynasty’s thirst for international recognition.” davaotoday.com)
