Author Archives: admin

Ang lumalabang Lumad, hindi si Duterte, ang tanglaw ng Mindanao

Published on Bulatlat *Talumpating binigkas sa Mindanao Human Rights Summit na ginanap sa Philippine Normal University, Taft, Manila noong Nobyembre 12, 2015 Sa susunod na linggo, ipapalabas na ang inaabangang huling installment ng pelikulang Hunger Games. Sa pelikula, lumusob sa Capitol ang mga nakatira sa District 12 at iba pang inaaping distrito ng Panem. Sa […]

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What Made Headlines in Southeast Asia in 2015?

Written for The Diplomat A look back at some of the top stories from Southeast Asia in 2015: 1. Landslide victory for Myanmar’s National League for Democracy. Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi may be constitutionally barred from becoming president of Myanmar but her party secured an historic victory in the general election. A tenth […]

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1975: The Start and End of Conflict in Southeast Asia

Written for The Diplomat This year, we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the end of Vietnam War, a two-decade conflict that pitted a poor and divided Asian nation against the rich and powerful United States. Understandably, it was a politically significant moment in world history. But there were other equally memorable events that took place […]

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Who Are Southeast Asia’s ‘Lost’ Generations?

Written for The Diplomat The theme of ‘lost generations’ is relevant across Southeast Asia, a region besieged by decades of civil war, foreign invasion, military dictatorship, and economic underdevelopment over the past half century. In Myanmar, the ‘missing’ generation refers to young people who were deprived by the military regime of the right to political […]

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Why the Left is fighting alongside the Lumad

Written for Bulatlat The accusation that the Left is exploiting the Lumad for political propaganda is easily refuted by the Lumad themselves through their compelling articulation of various abuses inflicted by state forces in their communities. The Lumad do not need the Left or activists to voice out their demands; they can speak for themselves. […]

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What our people need: Food, not free wi-fi

Written for Bulatlat Since Internet connectivity is equated with modernity and innovation, it is no surprise to see politicians providing free Wi-Fi to their constituents. National agencies and local government units are scrambling to provide free online services while prospective election candidates are already promising to expand free Wi-Fi connections in their territories. In Manila […]

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Sikreto sa Tagumpay ng Kabataan Partylist

*Mensaheng binigkas sa pambansang kumbensiyon ng Kabataan Partylist noong Setyembre 28, 2015 Natutuwa po ako at mukhang maraming bagong mukha sa araw na ito; ibig sabihin, bukod sa tumanda at gumradweyt na ang aming batch, ay patuloy ang pagdami ng kasapian ng Kabataan Partylist (KPL). Natutuwa din po ako na makita ngayong araw ang mga […]

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Malaysia’s New National Security Law: A Step Toward Dictatorship?

Written for The Diplomat Malaysia’s parliament swiftly approved the proposed National Security Council Bill despite the appeal of the opposition to conduct more debates and consultations about the measure. The bill, which was just introduced on December 1, was immediately tabled for deliberation despite the admission of the ruling party that there was no internal […]

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Politics of Memory: What 1965 Means in Southeast Asia

Written for The Diplomat The year 1965 is politically significant in several Southeast Asian countries: Singapore became an independent nation, Ferdinand Marcos was elected president of the Philippines, and an anti-communist purge killed at least half a million people in Indonesia. Singapore separated from the Malaysian Federation and subsequently, an independent government was established led […]

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Time For Southeast Asia to Address its Climate Problem

Written for The Diplomat Though transboundary haze pollution and the El Niño phenomenon are often reported these days across Southeast Asia, these issues deserve greater attention from regional leaders. These are no longer national problems that local politicians can easily address through rhetoric; the situation already demands a stronger action which can be effectively realized […]

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