Author Archives: admin

Duterte’s ‘tokhang’ approach in containing COVID-19 will worsen rights abuses

By admin | November 9, 2020

Published by Bayan Metro Manila President Rodrigo Duterte’s late night spiel clarifying what he meant by the infamous ‘shoot them dead’ order confirmed our fears that he is applying ‘tokhang’ methods in addressing the COVID-19 health crisis. This is both alarming and infuriating since it could enable law enforces to commit rights abuses with impunity. […]

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The Fight to Preserve and Expand Metro Manila’s Green Spaces

By admin | October 31, 2020

Published by Manila Today We are told that in order to appreciate nature and protect the environment, we have to go somewhere and participate in an outreach activity. It is there in the rural where we could restore forests, watersheds, and waterways. But here in the urban, we are merely incentivized to reduce carbon footprints, […]

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What will it take to combat digital authoritarianism in Southeast Asia?

By admin | October 23, 2020

This post is based on a keynote presentation delivered by the author at the first Global Voices Asia-Pacific Citizen Media Summit June 2, 2019 in Taipei, Taiwan. The rise to power of someone like Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who gained global notoriety for launching a bloody campaign against illegal drugs, is linked to the manipulation of online […]

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China’s COVID-19 Diplomacy Backfires in the Philippines

By admin | October 16, 2020

The Chinese embassy in Manila released a music video dedicated to COVID-19 frontline workers, but it quickly drew widespread anger among Filipino internet users because of the song’s indirect reference to the South China Sea, known locally as the West Philippine Sea. The music video of the song “Iisang Dagat” (One Sea) was released on […]

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IFEX Asia-Pacific brief: November and December 2019

By admin | October 11, 2020

November 2019: Blackout and landslide: 100 days without internet in Kashmir and election victory in Hong Kong Read more December 2019: India protests, internet shutdowns, Ampatuan verdict, and Hong Kong’s “White Christmas” Read more

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Shooting people dead is the brutal legacy of the Duterte government

By admin | October 5, 2020

Published by Bayan Metro Manila It’s not the first time that President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered law enforcers and state troops to shoot people dead but to hear him give the same directive during his press conference last night was extremely jarring, to say the least. He was reacting to the protest of some residents […]

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Activism and life-work balance

By admin | September 19, 2020

Published by Bulatlat We are swamped with reminders about the need to slow down, refocus our priorities, and reflect on how we make good use of our time so that we live life to the fullest while improving our work productivity. We are told to aspire for a life-work balance to feel good about ourselves, […]

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Stop using the emergency law to silence criticism and stifle innovation

By admin | September 4, 2020

Published by Bayan Metro Manila After filing charges against so-called ‘quarantine and curfew violators’ authorities are now summoning innovative leaders like Vico Sotto. It confirms our suspicion that Republic Act 11469, which gives additional special powers to President Rodrigo Duterte in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, is drafted to undermine the independence of LGUs. The […]

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Combatting disinformation in Asia Pacific: Intended – and unintended – consequences

By admin | August 24, 2020

This is part of a series IFEX is producing on regional experiences with the global problem of information disorder, and what people are doing to counter it. From blackouts to legislation, from fact-checking to education, Mong Palatino scrutinises some of the most popular responses to the problem of disinformation in his region. Disinformation may be […]

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The books I read in 2019

By admin | August 16, 2020

Published by Bulatlat 1. Blow-Up and Other Stories by Julio Cortázar, Paul Blackburn (Translator). Unfamiliar, intriguing, but creative narratives and plotlines. Stories about madness, compassion, and complexity of modern living. 2. Smaller and Smaller Circles by F.H. Batacan. The first few pages are surreal, apt description of Payatas. A crime novel, page-turner, and a rare look into the […]

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