Elijah Canlas protests Pax Silica as Tarlac hub plans advance

Award-winning actor Elijah Canlas isn’t backing down from his opposition to the US-led Pax Silica initiative, taking his protest straight to social media as national debate around the 1,620-hectare advanced manufacturing hub reaches a fever pitch.

In a recent Instagram Story, the “Edjop” star posed beside an effigy of US President Donald Trump, seemingly extending his middle finger covered with a “TRUMP OUT!!!” stamp. The photo was captioned with a clear rallying cry: “Lupa para sa mamamayan! Hindi sa dayuhan!”

The post was also stamped with the hashtags “#RejectPaxSilica!!!” and “#RejectLEC!!!” directly signaling his stance against the Luzon Economic Corridor, a trilateral infrastructure project between the Philippines, the United States, and Japan, connecting major economic zones in Clark, Manila, and Batangas.

Under the Pax Silica framework agreement, the massive “Economic Security Zone” will act as the LEC’s flagship industrial engine to secure a global supply chain of semiconductors and critical minerals, with the implicit goal of countering China’s dominance in global tech and artificial intelligence.

The actor’s renewed public push comes as the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) moves to finalize the legal framework for the proposed critical mineral processing hub in New Clark City, Tarlac.

With reports of active demolitions already underway in Capas, Tarlac, and the Department of Energy confirming nuclear power as a potential energy source for the facility, progressive groups have raised severe flags regarding transparency, environmental destruction, and community displacement, particularly with Malacañang pushing to close the deal during Trump’s visit for the ASEAN Summit on November 16.

Canlas previously voiced strong skepticism regarding government assertions that the multi-billion-dollar project would generate over 130,000 jobs and jumpstart local technological advancement. In a previous interview with radar Entertainment for his film “Edjop,” Canlas questioned the heavy trade-offs required by the zone.

“It’s bad. I feel like they should not legislate it. Nobody should support it,” Canlas stated. Pointing out the disproportionate burden on local sectors, he noted, “Ang daming maaabusong environmental resources, ang daming maaabusong mga komunidad. Talo talaga tayong taumbayan.”

He also dismissed long-touted economic gains from similar foreign-led developments, labeling them “mga hoax lang for the past few decades” while questioning why public officials continue to back the arrangement despite obvious risks.

“Pero there are so many other factors… marami kang ma-sa-sacrifice. Parang hindi worth it, ‘di ba?” Canlas added.