From harassment and intimidation during mobilizations, to red-tagging posters in the cities of Bicol,” Blanquera said. “For the youth, it is not enough for the government to say that Pax Silica is only about technology and jobs. “We, the youths, cannot afford to view Pax Silica as a simple investment project. Fernandez stressed that projects such as Pax Silica cannot be separated from the broader military presence and intervention of the US in the country. According to Bicol youth groups, promises of development are not enough while national sovereignty continues to be surrendered, public funds are stolen, education budgets are cut, and young people are silenced for demanding accountability.