The groups also condemned China’s incursion into the country’s maritime territory and its use of water cannons against Philippine ships. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Progressive groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Tuesday denounced China for its "repeated harassment" of Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea as it urged countries, including the Philippines, to keep from "militarizing" the disputed waters.

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While Bayan and its allied groups have consistently denounced Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, they have also warned against the Philippines being dragged into the rivalry between the US and China.

"We condemn China’s aggression as we enjoin our fellow Filipinos to expel all foreign troops and forces... China and US-led forces should leave the Philippines and stop using the country to stoke imperialist conflicts in the region," Bayan said in a statement.

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The groups staged a protest in front of the Chinese Consulate on the Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan) "to symbolize the commitment of Filipinos to resist foreign aggressors."

"We call on China to move out of the West Philippine Sea, dismantle its illegal structures, recognize the 2016 arbitral ruling, and to stop harassing Filipino fisherfolk and Philippine supply missions," they said.

'RETURN' OF US BASES

The group also called out the President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for allowing the US to reestablish military bases in the Philippines, referring to Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreements sites where the US can construct and facilities, preposition equipment, supplies and materiel, and deploy forces.

The Marcos administration is "turning the West Philippine Sea into a staging ground for foreign troops led by the US to advance their self-serving geopolitical agenda," the group said.

"Our legitimate resistance against Chinese aggression should not lead to foreign military buildup and the 'recolonization' of the Philippines through the installation of American military facilities across the country," they added.

Marcos is headed to Washington this week for a "tri-summit" with the United States and Japan, with the issue of South China Sea expected to be among the agenda.

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On Monday, Marcos said the Philippines was "doing everything possible" to save its worsening ties with China following a series of confrontations in the West Philippine Sea.