[now that I have your attention - sorry for cat-fishing you!!!!!!]
The Philippines has 1 week left until the ATB lapses into law. This law will criminalize dissent & opinions that are directed against the government.
I actually did not speak of this outside of Facebook and Twitter but I received death th/reats on some of my art pages and personal accounts for speaking and making art about and against this bill. Since March to June, a lot of my protest art was constantly reported and taken down on sites.
They also violently arrested queer activists in a peaceful protest against the bill and to approve SOGIE Equality Bill which approves LGBTQ+ rights in the Philippines
My people have been suffering in my country. This bill will label protesters as terrorists and arrest them without warrants. They are still not giving us medical aid. The military continues to consume so much of our country’s budget. They are censoring us to make us quiet.
If you would like to know more, you can read this twitter thread about it.
I will add more stories of injustice every single time I reblog this.
Let’s start with April 21, 2020 – The murder of Winston Ragos, an ex-military officer.
He was shot near a quarantine control point along Maligaya Drive in Barangay Pasong Putik, Quezon City after he appeared to try to pull something from his sling bag while taunting the law enforcers.
While witnesses were shouting to search Winston first, Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo Jr, shot him twice. Winston’s mother said people were shouting because they believe Winston carried no firearms despite displaying anger at cops. He was mentally ill and could have challenged cops on a whim.
“They think he had bad intentions, but the bag that hung over his neck only has a water bottle inside,” Merlyn told Rappler in a phone interview on Thursday, April 23.
She should know, she said, because she gave her son the bag herself.
Police then reported to the public that they killed Winston because he kept a gun inside his bag.
However, on June 4, 2020, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has concluded that Master Sergeant Daniel Florendo Jr and other police companions murdered former soldier Winston Ragos, planted evidence in the crime scene during the scuffle over enforcing quarantine rules in Quezon City in April.
NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin confirmed to reporters that the bureau has filed complaints of murder, perjury and planting of evidence against Florendo before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. Murder is a non-bailable offense.
Aside from Florendo, police trainees Joy Flaviano, Arnel Fontillas, Dante Fronda and Dalejes Gaciles are also sued for murder. Florendo and Staff Sargeant Hector Besas are sued for planting of evidence.
May 21, 2020 - To cross coronavirus border, prostituted women abused by cops first
Please read articles about this issue hereandhere.
June 2, 2020 – The arrest of Piston 6
Six drivers are arrested while holding a protest calling for the resumption of their operations during general community quarantine.
In a statement, transport group Piston said the six who were set to undergo inquest proceedings faced a fine of P3,000 each. Piston, however, argued that those who participated in the protest, including Ruben Baylon, its deputy secretary general, strictly practiced physical distancing and wore face masks.
The Caloocan police initially “invited” them to the police station but later brought them to City Hall for the filing of charges, Piston said. This is illegal detention.
“If it was done forcefully, then that could be considered illegal detention. They [police] must understand that the drivers lost their livelihood for nearly three months because the national government did not allow them to resume operations even under GCQ (general community quarantine),” George San Mateo, Piston national president emeritus, told the Inquirer in a text message.
According to him, the drivers were driven to hold a protest because they were hungry and were not among those who received any cash assistance from the government during the nearly three-month lockdown.
Police arrested 8 people, including minors, during a protest rally against the anti-terrorism bill on Friday, June 5. Among those arrested were 7 activists and one bystander who did not participate in the rally.
The activists were arrested at the protest site near the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu for violating a ban on mass gatherings under the general community quarantine (GCQ), according to Cebu City police.
The rally started peacefully at around 10 am until the protesters were met by Cebu City police in combat gear and members of the SWAT team.
At least 27 protesters were still stuck inside the campus while police were posted outside, on Gorordo Avenue.
Anti-terror bill protestor taken by Cebu City police
Cebu City police chase down anti-terror bill protestors in UP Cebu campus.
Al Ingking, UP alumnus (whose home received death threats by masked men a day before his release)
Bern Cañedo of YANAT CEBU
Dyan Gumanao of Kabataan Partylist
Nar Porlas of Anakbayan Cebu
Janry Ubal of Food Not Bombs Cebu
JUNE 26, 2020 - THE ARREST OF PRIDE 20
Police arrested at least 20 people at the Pride March in Mendiola, Manila, on Friday, June 26.
Ten members of LGBTQ+ rights group Bahaghari, 8 from other progressive groups, and two drivers have been detained at the Manila Police District.
They were being charged with disobedience of person in authority in relation to Republic Act 11332, otherwise known as the Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases, and Batas Pambansa 880, otherwise known as Public Assembly Act.
The protesters were observing physical distancing and other health protocols when the police arrived to disperse them.
The police did not cite any violations while arresting the protesters and only told them, “Nasa batas iyan na bawal iyan (It’s in the law that it’s prohibited),” without citing any specific law. Here is a video of that exchange. [2]
Prior to the the “grand mananita” themed indignation rally on Philippine Independence Day, June 12, human right lawyers had stressed that the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act as well as the public health law, Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases Act, do not prohibit rallies.
At 10 am on Friday, the group marched from Morayta and held a program near the Mendiola Peace Arch to “resist [President Rodrigo] Duterte’s tyranny.”
The Bahaghari-led protest was held to celebrate Pride month and to oppose the anti-terrorism bill.
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