Malaya Movement condemns the increase of U.S. militarism in the Philippines and the continued collaboration of the fascist Marcos and Trump regimes, which will further endanger Filipinos as the U.S. ramps up its conflict with China. In early January 2026, the U.S. revealed its new Army Rotational Force-Philippines, which has already been covertly operating since July 2025, further stepping up its military presence in the country under the guise of protecting the region from "Chinese coercion".

Our hearts feel profound relief that Chantal Anicoche is alive and finally safe. This would not have happened without thousands who acted to pressure the Philippine military into revealing they secretly had Chantal alive in their custody and then releasing her after 3 weeks of constant public outrage.

We also feel angry and disturbed that those 3 weeks were likely defined by physical and psychological torment, like many who were either killed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) like Chad Booc or survived the AFP like Jonila Castro.

As Filipino educators and allies in the United States, we echo the calls to release Filipino American youth activist, Chantal Anicoche, from the custody of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and safely return her to the United States. While a student leader at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Chantal learned about her identity, culture, and indigenous and environmental issues in the province of Mindoro, Philippines.

Why the urgent demand to release Chantal from AFP custody is critical.

Malaya Movement USA demands the immediate release of Chantal Anicoche, who is being held without a legal cause by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Capinpin in Rizal.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, specifically the 203rd Infantry Brigade and the 2nd Infantry Division, viciously bombed and strafed civilians in Abra De Ilog, Mindoro. They killed a student researcher, Jerlyn Doydoya, another civilian, and at least 3 Indigenous Mangyan-Iraya Youth.