Author Archives: admin

Maoism is the reason why the hills are alive in the Philippines

By admin | May 27, 2015

Written for Bulatlat How do you explain the presence of communist rebels in the country’s forest frontiers? Interestingly, the last remaining green spaces in the boondocks are strongholds of the New People’s Army. So who really should rejoice every time a province is declared NPA-free? The masses or the extractive industry? To preserve the richness […]

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Cambodia Defends Its Human Rights Record

By admin | May 17, 2015

Written for The Diplomat Cambodia presented its human rights report before the United Nations Office in Geneva amid growing allegations that abuses are being systematically committed by state forces. The UN committee acknowledged that Cambodia has introduced some reforms in recent years, in particular land reform and registration of indigenous communal lands. But it also […]

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Bakit Aktibista Ang Crush Ng Crush Mo?

By admin | May 14, 2015

Sinulat para sa Manila Today Dahil nagtitiwala siya sa masa; dahil kinakalinga siya ng masa Kaibigan ng mga inaapi, kaaway ng mga ilustradong kontrabida sa lipunan. Hindi umaastang bayani, sa halip ay nakasandig sa lakas ng mamamayang pumipiglas. Mayroon siyang barkada na ang tawag niya ay kolektib, mayroon siyang ugnay mula siyudad hanggang probinsiya na […]

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Malaysia Strengthens Sedition Act

By admin | May 8, 2015

Written for The Diplomat Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has made two contrasting pledges with regard to the Sedition Act of 1948. First, during the election period in 2012, he vowed to repeal the archaic law. Then, two years later, he announced that the law would be strengthened to preserve domestic harmony. Last Friday, Najib’s […]

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How to write against the Left

By admin | April 22, 2015

Written for Bulatlat Start by insinuating that it’s evil to be associated with the Left, for example ‘Beware of Left-leaning groups’. There’s no need to elaborate; simply insert the term ‘Left’ in a sentence to warn innocent minds about the threat posed by Leftist individuals, groups, institutions, and ideologies. To make it more convincing, tag […]

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Rising Child Labor Abuse in the Philippines

By admin | April 6, 2015

Written for The Diplomat Child labor exploitation is worsening in the Philippines. In 2011, the Philippine National Statistics Office reported that there were 5.5 million working children in the country, 2.9 million of whom were working in hazardous industries such as mines and plantations. The agency added that 900,000 children have stopped schooling in order […]

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Why we should reject the sentimental activism of reactionary bureaucrats

By admin | March 29, 2015

Written for Bulatlat Some reactionaries in the bureaucracy erroneously assume that their activism in the past makes them intellectually and even morally superior over the present generation of change advocates. Some probably misjudged their bohemian lifestyle as activism or they could have lied about their political record. But there are really existing apostates in various […]

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Internet access and censorship in Southeast Asia

By admin | March 22, 2015

Published interview with EngageMedia: 1. Could you describe the work of your organisation? Global Voices is a citizen media platform that highlights the perspectives and stories of ordinary people, especially those that are not often reported in mainstream media. Our volunteers translate, curate, and explain local narratives as we seek a better understanding of our […]

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Confessions of a Blogger Who Doesn’t Use a Smartphone for Mobile Internet

By admin | March 19, 2015

Published by Manila Today I have a cell phone which I use for calling, texting, and taking photos. Sometimes it’s also my alarm clock. That’s all. I never use my phone to download apps or interact with my virtual networks because I don’t have an Internet subscription. Even if there’s a WiFi connection, I rarely […]

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Araújo’s Vision for East Timor

By admin | March 14, 2015

Written for The Diplomat East Timor’s new prime minister, Dr Rui Maria de Araújo, appealed for unity as a way to build a more inclusive and tolerant society. Araújo became the head of the Sixth Constitutional Government after former Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão resigned last month. While taking his oath on February 16, Araújo presented […]

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