Mong Palatino

Published by Bulatlat

The 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was supposed to showcase the post-pandemic recovery and resurgence of the economy but it only put into spotlight its notorious legacy amid the raging crisis in the multipolar world and genocidal occupation in Palestine.

News narratives hyped the United States – China rivalry without calling out the complicity of the two global powers in fanning proxy wars, enabling military dictatorships, and supporting acts of aggression.

The historic meeting of Joe Biden and Xi Jinping should not obscure the epic failure of APEC, which was established in 1989, in transforming the world for the better. The focus should be on the role of APEC in making precarity the absurd new normal by facilitating unequal trade agreements, anti-labor legislations, and neocolonial plunder of resources in developing nations.

Choosing San Francisco in California as APEC host reflected the surreal hegemony of the US. A city of extremes populated by Silicon Valley billionaires on one hand and homeless workers on the other. Despite the dystopian reality plaguing the city, it gets to preach the potential of digital technology, and AI in particular, in solving the world’s problems.

How ironic that a gathering of free market fundamentalists would require the strong fascist arm of the state to make the homeless invisible and drive away protesters.

It is under this backdrop that ‘shutdown APEC’ protests were held from November 11 to 17. There were numerous small and centralized direct action assemblies but the major events included the people’s summit on November 11, the mass mobilization on November 12, and shutdown actions on November 15.

The summit gathered more than a thousand people who shared testimonies about how APEC impoverished a generation, displaced Indigenous peoples, and undermined the rights of workers. A powerful keynote address by Chinese-American activist Brandon Lee linked the dehumanizing impact of APEC with the rise of brutal authoritarian governments. As an activist living in the Cordillera region in the Philippines who survived an assassination attempt, he embodies what it means to confront the beast that inflicts suffering in grassroots communities. His story resonated with a crowd of migrants and local organizers who led workshops and group sessions about the campaigns and struggles they are waging from Myanmar to the Pasifika.

The summit energized the delegates ahead of the big mobilization in downtown San Francisco. The march drew a crowd that countered the feel-good and deceptive messaging of APEC organizers. The truth about APEC was seen and heard that day as protesters assembled and walked towards the main conference center. Community leaders highlighted the colonial crimes of imperialist powers, the collusion of multinational corporations and despotic regimes, and the systematic attack on the working classes.

The protest was a massive educational event about APEC and its discontents and how it disrupted lives from Haiti and Peru to India and Korea. The issues seemed overwhelming but the crowd knew there was a common enemy to be defeated: the evil empire behind APEC and the mass slaughter of innocent civilians in Palestine. No participant that day went home without understanding the evil link between the mass pauperization in the world and the genocidal war in Palestine. One cannot stand up for labor rights and climate justice while remaining quiet about the crimes against humanity perpetrated by Israel and its powerful backers.

Thus, the need to protest and to articulate the demands loud and clear. And for activists opposed to APEC and the ongoing attacks in Gaza, the message was delivered when they shut down the streets leading to the conference center on November 15. The daring protest involved activists chaining themselves to gated barricades while being surrounded by fellow activists. A youth leader said it was her act of love for the community. Brandon Lee himself was chained to the entrance even if he was in a wheelchair. Several streets were blocked for a few hours which showed the successful coordination among various groups and their meticulous planning in symbolically shutting down the APEC behemoth.

The shutdown took place while sizeable pockets of protests were held in consulates and hotels to protest the arrival of infamous heads of state. For example, protests hounded Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong’ Marcos Jr and his delegation when they first arrived in South San Francisco and throughout their stay at the luxurious Ritz Carlton Hotel. Marcos Jr had the gall to talk about peace and development when he allowed the expansion of US military facilities in the Philippines over the past year while continuing to endorse the export of his own people under the neoliberal framework that underpins the doctrine of APEC.

When APEC leaders posed for their traditional group photo, it became clearer that the “resilient and sustainable future” promised by this year’s conference theme is only for the narrow elite interest and not for the benefit of ordinary people. How can the future become sustainable and resilient when governments continue to support a system that cannibalizes the planet in the service of corporate profit and imperialist plunder?

Hope lies in the resistance to APEC and the war machine that perpetuates the exploitation of the oppressed. And the resistance is relentless. This relentlessness was on display in the streets of San Francisco last week which echoes the voices of solidarity from all places where people are fiercely organizing and building a new, progressive, and just future.

Written for The Diplomat

Allies of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are squabbling over the allocation of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs), which could undermine the “unity government” that rose to power in 2022.

CIFs are not subjected to normal auditing rules because it is assumed that law enforcement agencies use them for sensitive national security matters. During the budget deliberations in August, opposition lawmakers questioned the CIF request of civilian agencies, including the Department of Education headed by Vice President Sara Duterte.

Marcos’ executive secretary defended the vice president’s CIF use but the president did not comment when Congress amended the government’s budget proposal. Maybe the silence has got to do with the fact that the president’s CIF remained intact. All eyes are now on the Senate, and whether it will touch the CIFs of the country’s top two leaders.

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Ex-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Hints at Return to Politics

Written for The Diplomat

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that he would come out of retirement if his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, is impeached by Congress.

That lawmakers are deliberating the possibility of cooperating with the ICC could be taken as another indicator of the growing rift between the pro-Marcos and Duterte camps. What is certain is that a Congress resolution endorsing the ICC probe would certainly provoke more hostility from the supposedly retired patriarch of the Duterte political dynasty.

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Published by Bayan Metro Manila

While COVID-19 cases are surging, authorities are brutally demolishing houses in urban poor communities.

As residents adopt safety measures during the pandemic, the DILG treacherously lifted the ban on demolitions which quickly led to the destruction of houses in some barangays in Quezon City and heightened the tension in some areas in Manila and Taguig where demolition threats have been made.

It is inhumane to enforce demolition orders at a time when we are facing a pandemic. The poor lost jobs, livelihood, and are barely surviving while desperately in need of health care and other social services yet authorities are callously allowing the demolition to proceed.

Instead of displacing the poor from their homes, the government should provide relief and other stimulus packages. At the minimum, there should be a moratorium in demolitions while we are reeling from a public health crisis.

The government also demonstrated its bias against the poor as it continues to implement ‘solutions’ intended to curb the spread of the coronavirus but are detrimental to the welfare of the working poor.
Stakeholders should have been consulted about the impact of the uniform night curfew on workers and small businesses in the informal economy.

We deplore the continuing excessive deployment of police in barangays to enforce health protocols. Hard lockdown measures are counter-productive especially if medical solutions are not applied such as systematic mass testing, tracing, and treatment.

The Duterte government’s militarized approach in dealing with the pandemic has proven to be ineffective. It continues to rely on this model because of its criminal negligence in procuring and rolling out enough vaccines for the local population.

Instead of promoting accountability, authorities are spinning the narrative that the poor are pasaway and should be blamed for the COVID-19 surge. Massive arrests targeting ordinary citizens are being carried out. In some communities, restrictions hamper the movement of residents and deprive them of livelihood opportunities. The absurd ‘wall’ erected by Bucor in Muntinlupa exemplifies the repressive and anti-poor policies of the government.

We reiterate our urgent demand to prioritize a science-based, medical approach in addressing the pandemic surge. Government’s response should be transparent, inclusive, and not punitive.
We cannot survive the pandemic as long as the Duterte government is in power. We deserve better than this murderous regime whose only solution is to implement unlimited lockdown measures and silence those who are criticizing the abuses of those in power.

Published by Bulatlat

Biking became necessary during the first month of the pandemic lockdown in 2020 when the government prohibited even jeepneys and tricycles from being out in the streets. It became a lifesaver for frontliners and convenient option for those who needed a faster and safe way to move around the city to access essential services.

In my case, walking would have been fine but the scorching summer heat made it unbearable. I needed to finish my errands quickly in the morning which would require several stops in stores, offices, and banks in nearby barangays. Biking solved the problem plus it allowed me to evade random inspections from overzealous tanods and police in their camouflage uniforms. Later, I realized that pedaling my way around the city was inspired too by a desire to renew my enthusiasm for biking which I last felt during my teenage years in the mid 1990s.

I got a pre-loved folding bike because I was intrigued by the design and amazed by its simplicity and functionality. It saved storage space and can be loaded in taxis and trains. It is convenient for bimodal transport especially during the rainy season. Parking in most malls is free and the added advantage of a foldie is that it can be strolled inside buildings and malls.

Biking boosts the health and a money saver even if you constantly yearn to buy upgrades. It proved to be a wise investment which yielded multiple returns in terms of greater awareness about your body, a more focused mind, enhanced productivity, and a small sense of satisfaction that you are doing something to save the planet one pedal at a time.

As a resident of Metro Manila who seldom visit the provinces, I deem it more rational to bike instead of owning a car amid nonstop increases in oil and gas prices. Biking is a relief instead of enduring the daily “carmageddon”. Car maintenance is expensive while real estate landlords and LGUs have devised ingenious ways of collecting parking fees.

The pandemic lockdown has made the benefits of biking more apparent. The boom in bike sales was accompanied by the expansion of bike lanes and the gradual rollout of infrastructure catered to the growing number of bike riders. This was remarkable considering the insanity and terror induced by Rodrigo Duterte’s militarized lockdown policy.

The fun of biking is undercut by the constant reminder that our roads are unsafe. Major thoroughfares may have bike lanes but this is wishful thinking in most secondary roads. Bike lanes are merely a slim extension of existing roads where potholes, manholes, and even open drainages are often located. It is used too as an emergency lane and frequently “patronized” by motorcycle riders.

As a folding biker, bimodal commute is practical. However, this requires extra patience given the chaotic state of the urban transport system. It is not enough to memorize a route or train station network since it’s more crucial of having an updated mental map of functioning escalators, elevators, and well-maintained parking facilities.

Local and national urban planners will certainly take notice of the growing community of bikers and may this hopefully translate into better services and the building of bike-friendly hubs.

As bikers become more visible on the road, car drivers and even pedestrians are slowly acknowledging that it is not reckless for a two-wheeled vehicle to use the same space dominated by four-wheeled vehicles. Changing mindsets will take time but this can be hastened by the collective assertion of the biking community. This power is seen in the public shaming of irresponsible and arrogant car owners, and can be directed as well to engage authorities and big business owners in drafting policies, blueprints, and long-term investments intended to incentivize bike transport.

There are bike-specific issues that succeeded in rallying the support of riders. And there are broader advocacies that saw bikers lend their voice (and legs) in solidarity with cause-oriented groups. The ongoing conversation about transforming the Metro into a green Metropolis patterned after Europe’s welfare states is an opportunity to highlight that building the ideal city of bikers is more than just a matter of lane conversions and traffic rerouting but linked to fundamental issues such as good governance, comprehensive local development, and community empowerment.

July 2023: Journalists and activists from China and Pakistan targeted by transnational repression, prolonged internet shutdown in Manipur hides extent of communal violence, Cambodia blocked websites after disqualifying the opposition, and defiant Afghan women protested against repressive Taliban policies. Read more

August 2023. Taliban marks its second year in power amid worsening repression targeting women and media, Pakistan adopts several laws designed to enable broader censorship and social media control, and an Australian journalist pens a ‘love letter’ from a Chinese prison. Read more.

September 2023. Across Asia, groups are stepping up their campaigns for access to information amid disturbing enactment of repressive cyber laws. There are several encouraging updates such as an acquittal of Filipino-American journalist Maria Ressa, the revival of banned Cambodian media outlet VOD, and the release of detained journalists in Pakistan, Vietnam and China. Read more.

Written for The Diplomat

The Philippine government will allow the screening of the Hollywood film “Barbie” after arriving at a conclusion that it does not clearly show China’s controversial “nine-dash line.”

Perhaps Filipino legislators should focus on responding to the provocative words of Chinese diplomats instead of interpreting doodles, crayon drawings, and fictional maps in movies.

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Philippine Senate Probes Afghan Refugee Deal

Written for The Diplomat

If the formal request of the United States government is granted, at least 50,000 Afghans fleeing from Taliban rule will soon arrive in the Philippines, where they are expected to stay for at least two months while awaiting their special immigrant visas. Most of the refugees are former employees of the U.S. government in Afghanistan.

But the issue is more than just extending assistance to refugees since there are potentially serious ramifications on security, sovereignty, and transparency in financing. Also, building shelters for those displaced by war is a sensitive topic in a country where decades of local armed conflicts have disrupted the lives of thousands. Some might even think that the government is ready to house foreign refugees while residents in Marawi City, which was attacked by Islamic State-linked groups in 2017, have yet to go home in order to rebuild their houses.

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Written for The Diplomat

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff has disclosed that some retired officers have been agitating against the government of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., while in Congress, the House Speaker lashed out against key allies of the president.

The realignment in the House leadership and even the destabilization rumors are telltale signs that Marcos’ “unity” government rests on fragile foundations.

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Cracks Appear in the Philippines’ Unity Government

Written for The Diplomat

An apparent rift among allies of Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. could undermine his “unity” government barely a year after being sworn into power.

Congress will adjourn this week but the battle for political supremacy will continue. The second State of the Nation address of Marcos in July will likely reveal which power blocs emerged stronger and weaker as politicians scramble for position ahead of the midterm election in 2025 and the presidential election in 2028.

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Published by Bulatlat

In the opening pages of Jose Rizal’s El Filibusterismo, the steamer Tabo was likened to the ship of state where the presence of the ilustrado classes at the upper deck and the indios at the lower deck alluded to inequality in society. The Tabo was slow like the progress of the country under Spanish colonialism. Adopting Rizal’s creative way of analyzing the state of affairs, we can say that the present-day Tabo is represented by several ships that made the headlines over the past months.
First, the MT Princess Empress which sank in the waters off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, and caused a massive oil spill in the area and nearby provinces. The oil tanker was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel when it sank due to engine trouble. The oil spill destroyed marine habitats and undermined the livelihoods of residents in coastal communities and tourism destinations. Later, it was revealed that the ship owner lacked permits, the government was criticized for being slow in responding to the disaster, and the oil slick reached the shores of Palawan.

Another tragedy involved MV Lady Mary Joy 3 which caught fire and killed 33 passengers in Basilan. Reports described it as a “floating inferno” after the ferry carrying more than 200 passengers en route to Sulu was hit by a fire in the evening. It was a stark reminder of the precarious state of maritime travel in the country.

Ship-related accidents seem to be on the rise. News of passenger ships running aground has been reported in Camotes and Ozamis. MV Diamond Highway, an abandoned cargo vessel that used to transport second-hand luxury vehicles, was destroyed by fire last month in Lapu-Lapu City. The ship ran aground in Cebu during a storm in 2021.

As an archipelagic country, the country should boast of having a robust sea travel and shipbuilding industry. But these disasters mirror the backward conditions of the maritime transport sector and the failure to connect our islands and stimulate sustainable coastal trading.

They also reflect our dependence on imported surplus ships. This is more evident in the warships that we acquired from the United States. During the recent Balikatan war exercises between Filipino and American troops, one of the activities involved the sinking of a decommissioned donated warship named BRP Pangasinan, which is reported as a Miguel Malvar corvette of the Philippine Navy. It was a painful confirmation of how the Philippines has been a recipient of surplus equipment from its supposedly equal treaty partner; and a reminder of the heroism of revolutionaries like Malvar who was the last Filipino general to surrender during the Philippine-American war. The symbolism was hard to ignore: an American weapon attacking a ‘Malvar’.

Another powerful interloper is the Chinese navy which bullies our coast guard and conducts illegal patrols in our waters. Its vessels enter our maritime borders and they constantly harass our fisherfolk.

To deter the aggressive behavior of China, the Philippine government allowed the expanded military presence of the United States. Our officials peddle the spin that the military basing of a nuclear superpower will lead to deterrence rather than an escalation of tension in the region.

The protest of Masinloc fishers highlighted the lack of attention given to ordinary people as officials relish their token role in the geopolitical ‘game of thrones’ in the Asia-Pacific. On one hand, they are bullied by oversized Chinese vessels in our own territory; but they are also barred from fishing during Balikatan war games. Dynamite fishing has been outlawed yet US troops used a missile to blow up a warship in Zambales.

The Philippines finds itself in a hotspot as the United States and China vie for supremacy in this part of the world. Assertion of sovereignty is the basic principle in foreign policy. Unfortunately, our officials interpret this by equating our national interest with the imperialist agenda of the United States.

We are bombarded with images of sunken tankers, destroyed ferries, and belligerent navy warships. So far, it has been a challenging year. But the sight of fishing boats protesting the disruption caused by military exercises with foreign troops gave a glimmer of hope to those who believe that it is only through our own collective will and action that we can steer our ship of state towards a better future.

Published by Bayan Metro Manila

Myanmar’s junta and the Philippines’ Duterte government are among the worst violators of human rights today.

After grabbing power on February 1, the Tatmadaw (armed forces) detained the country’s duly elected leaders and brutally suppressed the anti-coup resistance.

The Philippines is among the many countries which expressed concern over the escalation of violence in Myanmar. It even asked Myanmar authorities not to use ‘excessive violence’ against ‘unarmed protesters’. Yet it rejected the UN resolution condemning the actions of the Tatmadaw.

Our diplomats feign concern about the situation in Myanmar but silent while our own security forces have been on a rampage since 2016. From Tokhang killings to raids targeting the homes and offices of activists, our police have resorted to violence in waging a crackdown on dissenters.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has called for the release of Myanmar State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi while oblivious to the jailing of opposition forces in the Philippines like Senator Leila de Lima and consultants of the National Democratic Front.

The usurpation of power by the junta in Myanmar should alert us to the dangers of having a military-dominated Cabinet and the continuing militarization of the bureaucracy.

Before the coup, Myanmar’s military gained notoriety for the atrocities it committed against the Rohingya. To a certain extent, its genocidal treatment of the ethnic minority mirrors the Duterte government’s policy towards the Lumad and peasant communities covered by the all-out-war against communists and their suspected sympathizers.

Both the Philippines and Myanmar should face global scrutiny for their bloody human rights record. As repression worsens in these two countries, the people are rising up to demand justice and accountability. China’s support for these repressive regimes is also deplored. From Mandalay to Manila, pro-democracy forces are raising the flags of resistance against the authoritarianism of the Tatmadaw and Duterte.

April 2023. Fiji’s media victory, Vietnam’s “Kafkaesque trial”, and World Press Freedom Day in the Asia-Pacific: A historic win for the media in Fiji, a “Kafkaesque trial” in Vietnam, a Taiwanese publisher detained in China, a new law threatens free speech in India, and IFEX members across Asia-Pacific mark World Press Freedom Day. Read more

May 2023. Pakistan’s crisis, Hong Kong’s library purge, Chinese censorship (no laughing matter) and some good news. Pakistan’s political crisis has turned violent as authorities blocked internet services, China’s crackdown on dissent targeted commentators and comedians, Hong Kong has purged libraries of books written by pro-democracy advocates, and several court decisions affirmed the legality of same-sex marriages. Read more

June 2023. Repression and resistance in Asia: ‘Freedom will always win’: Repressive laws and policies target journalists, poets, rappers, and comedians across Asia. The decline of media freedom in India was highlighted during the United States visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There were several legal victories in Hong Kong and Australia while local protests erupted in China. New platforms promoting the right to information were launched in Southeast Asia. Read more