Author Archives: admin

Pure Maoism Doesn’t Exist in the Philippines

Published by Bulatlat Like the sun that sustains life on this planet, it is Maoism that inspired the rise and spread of the National Democratic movement in the Philippines. That political slogans such as ‘Serve the People’ and ‘Learn from the Masses’ are still openly advocated by Filipino progressives today reflect the enduring legacy of […]

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The books I read in 2016

Published by Bulatlat 1. Open Secrets, Alice Munro. I think there is a Munro Effect: A reader is initially lulled into thinking that a storyline is dull but it is only when the short story is about to end that he finally begins to see how he is completely immersed in the Munronian world. 2. […]

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Duterte’s ‘War on Drugs’ in the Philippines: By the Numbers

The Philippine police has released some statistics confirming the extensive reach of the government’s “war on drugs.” Dubbed as “Project Double Barrel Alpha,” the anti-drug campaign is a top priority of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, who assumed power last July 1. Could this mean more deaths, arrests, police visits, and extrajudicial killings until […]

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How Real is the ‘Foreign Intervention’ Threat in Southeast Asia?

Several governments and political parties in Southeast Asia have raised the issue of foreign intervention this year. In Malaysia, the police are probing some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for receiving funds from a foundation owned by American businessman George Soros allegedly in order to topple the ruling party which has been in power since the 1950s. […]

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2016 is the year of the Mindanaon

Published by Bulatlat President Rodrigo Duterte is the man of the year; but this is not his year, this is the year of the Mindanaon. Duterte is the Mindanaon who made history when he became president of the Philippines. This alone is enough to recognize Duterte’s enormous impact in the local political landscape. But beyond […]

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May Magagawa ba Tayo sa Usapin ng Mamasapano?

Published by the official student publication of Isabela State University in 2015 Nasaan ba ang Mamasapano? Sa Maguindanao, pero saan yun sa mapa? Kaya ang unang gagawin sa smartphone o laptop, hanapin ang lugar ng engkwentro. Magsaliksik ukol sa Tukanalipao. Magbasa ng balita tungkol sa mga komunidad na apektado ng kaguluhan. May mga paaralan bang […]

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Cambodia: 25 Years of Peace, But to What End?

Twenty-five years have passed since the signing of the Paris Peace Agreement, which ended the war in Cambodia and paved the way for the restoration of democratic institutions in the country. How has Cambodia fared so far? Various groups, including some of the 18 parties that signed the agreement, commemorated the anniversary last October to […]

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Tribute to parents of activists

Published by Bulatlat The untold first mission of many activists does not involve the smashing of the bourgeois state or the ‘bombarding of the headquarters’ of the repressive government; their first instinct is to go home and confess their political conversion to their parents or guardians. It is a delicate and difficult duty. Delicate because […]

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The Philippine “Punisher” Could Be a Man of Peace

Published by Fair Observer How has Rodrigo Duterte fared as president of the Philippines 100 days after taking office? Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is hitting headlines for all the wrong reasons. He has threatened to pull the Philippines out of the United Nations (UN); he has ridiculed diplomats; he is unapologetic for making rape jokes; […]

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A Red rage and Duterte

Published by New Mandala Can the Philippines’ new president end a communist insurgency that’s been fought for almost 50 years? The government of Rodrigo Duterte and the communist-led National Democratic Front have agreed to resume stalled peace talks this month. Will this finally resolve the armed conflict in the Philippines? A quick glance at the […]

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