US-led Luzon corridor in Philippines faces growing scrutiny over real local benefits

While Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr was pitching the Luzon Economic Corridor to a 600-strong delegation of foreign investors and officials last week, protesters outside were clashing with police, accusing the US-backed initiative of exploiting the country’s resources. The backlash mirrored opposition against the Pax Silica AI supply chain drive – a separate proposal but again, American-led. It underscored mounting tension over the ambitious corridor, since expanded from a transport...