I want to take a moment to highlight what’s going on in the Philippines and ask that you please educate yourself about what’s going on in my homeland. Democracy and the democratic process are being threatened. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are slowly being destroyed.
Recently, ABS-CBN was denied its franchise renewal and was shut down. Why? Simple. Members of the current political regime didn’t like that they were being called out by members of the press. Journalism is there to protect the people and the democratic process, not to be puppets for those in power. All of this happening during the COVID-19 pandemic. So instead of Filipino politicians doing something right by the Filipino people and ensuring mass testing was available along with ensuring that the hospitals all around the country had the PPE, ventilators, and medications they needed to treat the patients, they were too busy worrying about nonsense. Oh, hubris.
But this is not all that’s going on. In addition to the shutdown of ABS-CBN, the Anti-Terrorism Bill was also passed. This bill is meant to stifle dissent. Since its passing, activists and protestors have been harassed and arrested unlawfully.
Democracy is a fragile being; it cannot exist when people are unable to dissent, face state-sanctioned violence by the police and military, and when journalists who strive for the truth are treated with scorn.
Those of us living here in the US, especially, need to pay close attention to what is going on in the Philippines. Don’t ignore this because what is happening in the Philippines can certainly happen here.
What can people do?
I ask that you please pay attention. I ask that you please listen to Filipino voices and educate yourselves. When you see a Filipino post news links or informational posts or carrd links, please retweet and share.
Stop asking yourself why you should care.
The Philippines isn’t just a vacation spot. It’s not just a tropical country that makes the news every so often because a Filipino wins a beauty pageant or a singing competition. It’s not just that country white chefs go to so they can talk about our cuisine.
The Philippines is home to millions of human beings, each one with their own lives, families, ambitions, and dreams. This fact alone should be enough for you to pay attention.
