ThePILLARS Publication

28/03/2025

𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 | Today, 28 March, marks the start of the 45-day official campaign period for local candidates in the 2025 Midterm Elections to be held on 12 May. This will last until 10 May.

Meanwhile, national candidates began their 90-day campaign period earlier last 11 February. | via Angeline Eneria

27/03/2025

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗗𝗡𝗨 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗬 𝗛𝗔𝗦 𝗩𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗗!

As part of , an election coverage initiative led by ThePILLARS Publication in partnership with Liderato kan Nueva Atenista and Remontados Debate Society, a dedicated form of 𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗢 was released, catering to the faculty and staff members of Ateneo de Naga University and gathering their votes for the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

The mock election, which ran from 20 February to 10 March, was announced online through the official page of ThePILLARS Publication and sent individually by AdNU Research and Creative Endeavors to the participants through their respective GBox email addresses. Out of the 709 employees that received the Google Form link, 79 (11.14%) voluntarily participated in the survey. The candidates presented in the mock polls were based on the ballot face that were first released by COMELEC.

The mock poll results presented in this post are as follows: Senators, Partylists, Camarines Sur, Naga City, and Districts I to V.

22/03/2025

𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 | Silenced, Unheard Cries

During the mob for the 39th EDSA People Power Commemoration, an activist from Antolon, Caramoan, Camarines Sur, who has joined the walkout for the first time, calls for justice and protection against red-tagging, and harassment that her family has been experiencing. They are being coerced to shut their mouths and quietly comply with the oppression and unequal treatment they have been experiencing.

In an exclusive interview, she revealed that her husband—a simple farmer—was being red-tagged, accused of being a communist, and labeled as a member of the New People's Army. “Dahil sa pananakot ini yong duda ninda na NPA daa, Ngunyan, dae na nakauli an sakuyang agom”, the interviewee said. Their family has been subjected to threats, coercion for an arrest, and forced confessions. | via Lenin Faith Babilonia & Karl Austin Pavia

Read more here: https://thepillarspub.com/Features/features-silenced-unheard-cries-3212025-110038-am

Artwork by Liane Quillo

21/03/2025

𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 | Sa pagsapit ng halalan, mayroong umuudyok sa ating diwa—ang tungkuling pag-isipan nang malalim ang ating mga boto, pati na rin ang mga salik na tumutulak dito.

Ano bang mga katangian ang dapat taglay ng isang kandidato? Ano bang mga isyu ang dapat pagtuunan ng kanilang agarang pansin? Saksihan ang mga mag-aaral at g**o ng Ateneo de Naga University sa kanilang pagbitaw ng sagot sa mga tanong na ito. | via Billy Cruz

Video taken by Jen Buela, Joaquin Gomez, Fiona Almoneda, Neil Mondragon, Edward Alipio & Ela Laureta

Edited by Jam Mazo & Toni Benosa

21/03/2025

𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 | In solidarity with Palestine, Nagueños for Palestine hosts "PAGTUMANG: Forum of Palestinian and Philippine National Minority Struggles," today, 21 March 2025 at the Jesse Robredo Museum, Naga City.

The event aims to raise awareness about the parallel struggles of national minorities in Palestine and the Philippines. The program features an art fair, film screening, and a talk from Amirah Lidasan of the Sandugo Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination, Hayme Alegre of Kabataan Partylist, and John Paul Fernandez from Department of Media Studies-AdNU. | via Edward Alipio

Photos by Jeremiah Martin Lirag, Fiona Almoneda, and Joaquin Gomez

18/03/2025

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | Israel resumes Gaza strikes, killing over 200 Palestinians

Israel launched massive airstrikes across Gaza early Tuesday, killing more than 200 Palestinians, including women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The strikes, targeting Hamas infrastructure and commanders, shattered a ceasefire in place since January 19.

Hamas condemned the attack as “treacherous,” accusing Israel of sabotaging the truce. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Hamas for rejecting ceasefire proposals and refusing to release hostages.

The prime minister's office vowed to intensify military operations, while Hamas warned the move endangers remaining hostages.

This is a developing story. | via Carlo Panambo

Sources:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/3/18/live-trump-threatens-iran-as-deadly-us-attacks-on-yemens-houthis-continue
https://www.axios.com/2025/03/18/israel-gaza-war-resumes-airstrikes-hamas
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/03/17/israel-hamas-ceasefire-gaza-war-airstrikes/

18/03/2025

𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗬 | In accordance with the memorandum released by Dr. Digna M. Paner-Alba, Assistant Vice President for Higher Education, classes are suspended in all modalities from 19 to 21 March 2025.

This is to give way to the university’s Annual Institutional Retreat for its employees, including both faculty and non-teaching personnel. In line with the announcement, the campus will be off-limits to students and visitors during these dates.

17/03/2025

𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 | In honor of women’s month, Remontados Debate Society hosts a special open house debate featuring an all-woman lineup today, 17 March 2025, at Xavier Hall.

Discussing the motion “This house regrets the glorification of women’s resilience,” the asian parliamentary debate is set to be opened by the government bench composed of Justine Sio, Crystal Dominique Resari, and Juliana Marie Mapa. And will be refuted by the opposing team composed of Emilia Mari Goyena, Eizza Nicole Rapi, and Jhanina Sophia Bermas.

The event aims to empower women's voices, and raise awareness about the issues faced by women in the status quo. The debate will later on be wrapped up by a judge's decision, which will be led by Angeline Mae Blasa, Bea Ashanti Primme, and Trishia Pauleen Ruta. | via Edward Alipio

Photos by Force Ivan Macapagal and Dinno Franco Noora

15/03/2025

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | In recall of injustices with Duterte's pet crackdown on illegal drugs, ThePILLARS Publication and the Liderato kan Nueva Atenista, in collaboration with the College Editors Guild of the Philippines, organized a Solidarity Protest following the March 11 capture of the strongman former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 14 March 2025 in front of the Four Pillars of Ateneo de Naga University.

The event also included the Eucharistic mass recounting the loss of reverence towards human life during the bloody drug war, where thousands of individuals, particularly from marginalized sectors, were killed, became victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs), and were stripped of their rights.

With candles lit up across the strairs of the touted Four Pillars, the school-community offered a prayer vigil to victims, honoring the lives lost throughout the Duterte rule including the EJK victims, journalists, media workers, and activists.

15/03/2025

𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗥 | Is your vote a small act or a powerful statement?

14/03/2025

[𝘉𝘪𝘬𝘰𝘭 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯]

𝗣𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗚 𝗞𝗔𝗡 𝗔𝗟𝗬𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗔 𝗞𝗔𝗡 𝗠𝗚𝗔 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗔 𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗢 𝗦𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗞𝗔𝗗𝗔𝗞𝗢𝗣 𝗞𝗜 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗢 𝗥. 𝗗𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗘

Kaibanan kan mga Pilipino, an Ateneo Publications Alliance—binibilog kan Atenews, The BEACON, The Crusader, The Guidon, asin ThePILLARS—sararong minasuporta sa pagkadakop kan dating Presidente kan Pilipinas na si Rodrigo R. Duterte, matapos magpaluwas nin mandamiento de arresto kontra saiya an International Criminal Court (ICC) para sa mga inaakusar saiya na mga krimen laban sa katawohan.

Maamayon kan Marso 11, 2025, an dating presidente sinabat nin mga pulis na may mandamiento de arresto pag-abot niya haling Hong Kong sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Nag-abot ini matapos an pirang taon na pag-imbestiga asin surbeylans kan ICC sa gyera kontra droga ni Duterte, na subuot nagkawsa nin dai mababa sa 12,000 na piggaradan uyon sa Human Rights Watch.

Mantang an pagkadakop saiya inabot nin halos 10 taon puon kan pagsiyasat kan ICC, importante man nanggad an lakdang na ini sa pagmawot nin hustisya.

An pagkadakop ni Duterte nakaangkla sa suripot na legal na proseso nin huli ta ini legal na sugo dapit sa “murder as a crime against humanity” sa irarom kan mandamiento de arresto kan ICC na ipinautob sa paagi kan Piskal Heneral kan Pilipinas matapos maresibe kan Interpol Manila an saindang kopya. Ta nganing utruhon an legal na basehan kaini: an ICC igwa nin hurisdiksyon sa mga pagbalgar nin mga deretsong pantawo ni Duterte siring sa ginibo ini bago an paghali kan bansa kan taon 2019.

Mayong pagsayuma sa pagkooperar, o kaya man mga akusasyon nin pahihingako nin hurisdiksyon o pagbalgar kan soberanya kan bansa an makakapugol sa dominasyon kan katotoohan asin hustisya. An pagkadakop ni Duterte bako lang legal na obligasyon kundi moral na imperatibo para masigurado na an pagkagadan kan mga biktima bakong daing kamanundangan, sagkod an manehamento kan ley sarong ekstensyon kan tiranikong kapangyarihan.

An gyera kontra droga na kampanya ni Duterte dai nag-untok; buminunga ini nin sarong kultura na kun sain an aktibismo asin katalingkasan sa pagpahayag kriminalisado. An katalingkasan sa pagpahayag nagsairarom sa daing-tapos na huma huli sa mga atakeng tiraniko asin maringis na pagsilensyo kan mga parabarita sa paagi kan sensura, paghali nin pondo, pananakot, asin panrered-tag.

An pagsaley ni Duterte kan Anti-Terrorism Law (ATL) kan 2020, nagin nang permiso ta nganing mas palalaon an panraraot asin kakurihan tumang sa mga parapahayag sa enterong nasyon. 22 na parapahayag asin mga nagtatrabaho sa midya an napag-araman na ginadan puon kan nagtukaw sa pwesto si Duterte kan 2016. Katakod kan paggamit kan ATL sa tahaw kan pwersang macho-pyudal, pinaurog man sana kaini an mekanismo kan estado na maggamit kabagsikan para masolusyunan an manlain-lain na problema.

Lalo na man, sa pasagin-sagin kan mga legal na proseso, padagos na pag-atake sa mga alternatibo—siring sa pangcampus na pahayagan—asin mainstream na mga outlet kan midya, kaiba kan mga mapang-aping polisiya, lalo pang pinapalala an presenteng estado kan pahayagan. Pwera sa arbitrariong pagdakop asin paggadan sa mga parapahayag, minaimbwelto an estado—sa paagi kan hudisyal na proseso—sa pagpapahuri kan mga kaso kan ilegal na pag-aresto sa mga parapahayag kan komunidad. Gibo kan sistema-legal na ini na minukna ni Duterte, an tûmakan an katakingkasan sa pagpahayag asin aktibismo ta ngani na mapaalo hanggan padagos nang maubos an hinangos kaini.

An haloy nang hinahalat na pag-aresto ki dating presidente Duterte tanda nin pag-abante sa pagpapanimbag sa nakaaging administrasyon sa ribo-ribong mga pagtûmak sa mga diretsong pantawo asin daing-hirak na panggagadan sa paagi kan gyera kontra droga. Alagad, dai dapat madutaan nin pamumulitika an pagdakop na ini. Kasabay kan iwal Marcos-Duterte asin impeachment ni Bise-Presidente Sara Duterte, dai dapat madutaan nin pampolitikang interes an pangapodan kan masa na matawan nanggad nin hustisya an mga biktima kan gyera kontra droga asin ekstrahudisyal na panggagadan.

Itinanom ni dating presidente Duterte an pisog kan ATL asin an pundasyon kan National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict; dai lang si Presidente Marcos Jr. natabangan kan mga ini, kundi ginamit niya pa ngani sa pagbutas nin mabagsik asin nakakagadan na estado para sa midya, mga parapahayag pang-campus, mga aktibista, asin mga protektor nin mga deretsong pantawo.

Maski na binibisto nyamo na positibo man nanggad an pag-aresto, importanteng ipasabot na dapat irespeto an pag-implementar kan proseso sa paagi kan pagsigurado na mayo ining kalakop na pamomolitika para lang maiangat an sarong pamilyang kurap sa saro. Nasa kamot na kan Gobyerno kan Pilipinas an makikooperar sa ICC asin magsairarom sa tamang proseso o due process. Kaipuhan ta na mangapudan para sa katotoohan, hustisya, asin pagtapos nin impunidad.

Matapos dulagan ni Duterte an paninimbagan kan mga nakaaging taon, maaabot na an hustisya, asin aayuson na kan ICC an saiyang konbiksyon para sa gabos na pagbalgar sa diretsong pantawo, mga paggadan, asin an mga makuring inhustisya na ginibo niya.

Dai lang dapat ini magpundo kay Duterte. Sa mga kurahaw kan komunidad, pinapakusog nyato, “Duterte, Pagbayadon! Marcos, Singilon!”

Inaako kan alyansa na ini an pag-abante sa mga pinagpagalan ta nganing pagbayadon an mga responsable sa gyera kontra droga asin pagbalgar nin mga deretsong pantawo. Myentras an pagdakop kay Duterte puon palang kan haloy na laban para sa hustisya kan mga biktima nin ekstrahudisyal na paggadan, ipadagos ta lugod an pagrumdom kan mga inosenteng buhay na nawara sa guera kontra droga; mga biktima nin impunidad na dai tinawan nin due process; asin an mga pamilya na nagmumundo pa nanggad para sa mga padangat ninda sagkod ngunyan.

Ngunyan, an pangapodan sa mga pang-estudyanteng publikasyon na gamiton an saindang plataporma ta nganing pakusugon pa an diskurso, tawan nin liwanag an mga kararatan na ginibo, asin maggibo nin mga alternatibo sa pagkamit kan totoong hustisya, dapat na mas pakusugon pa.

An impunidad, ano man na porma, dai dapat palampason sana. Para sa pagrumdom kan gabos na nagin biktima kan mabagsik na pamamasista kan rehimen ni Duterte, minatindog kami kaiba kan mga pamilya asin komunidad na padagos na minamati an mga pila—minapadagos sagkod na makua an hustisya.

12/03/2025

𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡 | Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrived at Rotterdam The Hague Airport in the Netherlands at 11:52 p.m. Philippine Standard Time to face charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The charges stem from the alleged extrajudicial killings of over ten thousand Filipinos during his administration’s war on drugs.

Duterte was immediately transferred to the ICC Detention Center in the Scheveningen district, where he will remain while awaiting his initial appearance before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber.

The ICC, however, has not yet confirmed the date for his initial court appearance, though such proceedings are typically scheduled soon after the individual’s transfer to ICC custody. | via Reina Trisha Narvaez

12/03/2025

𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐄𝐆𝐏-𝐃𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐎 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒

CEGP Davao stands with Atenews against attempts to silence campus journalists following its statement on the ICC arrest warrant for former President Rodrigo Duterte. These attacks, including cyber harassment and red-tagging, are clear threats to press freedom.

Atenews remains independent, research-driven, and committed to truth. Journalism is about accountability, not forced neutrality. We reject efforts to discredit student publications and reaffirm our commitment to defending press freedom.

We call on fellow student publications to stand with us in solidarity. Sign your publication’s name to this statement and let us collectively resist attacks on press freedom.

Read the full statement below:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dB7S9TucnMD0W7Vq32R9ZdhRvsgjXI-f84vjrj4IWjE/edit

12/03/2025

"In the words of the late activist Liliosa Hilao, 'democracy is dead' this time in a disguised martial law that has similarly targeted dissidents and the press. Democracy has been killed. It was not homicidal, but rather it was murdered by those who swore to preserve it. The greater power rests on us whether we stand up for our rights and speak up to subdue excesses in power or we salvage what is left of our liberty."

𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗟 | 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱

People are dying, yet the government remains oblivious of accountability and firm on strengthening its fascist regime. Six months after coronavirus has started spreading in the country, we now have more than 50,000 COVID-19 cases as per the DOH, a declining economy, the Anti-terror Law that paradoxically terrorizes critics of this administration, a series of attacks against the media, and charging of human rights defenders with trumped up cases.

Duterte redefines the law according to his and his allies’ political agenda. Filed and passed in Congress in the façade of augmenting national security, Filipinos believe that the Anti-terror Law will outright be abused and manipulated to further tyranny under this regime. More so, the Terror Bill has been signed into law despite the inherently unconstitutional precepts violating the bill of rights to silence critics and dissenters, who may, as he pleases, be tagged as “terrorists”. State-sponsored violence will be drawn more intensively even after four years of Duterte’s war on drugs bearing thousands of extrajudicial killings.

The PNP and AFP subjects human rights defenders and progressive groups to black propaganda instigating the red-tagging of students, activists, and journalists. Even peaceful protests are confronted to provoke altercation causing the unjustified detainment of protesters – such are the violent arrests of 7 student activists in UP Cebu last June, the 20 Pride protesters and social workers, and the arrest of the Cabuyao 11 in Laguna. Four days after the draconian Terror Law was signed, Jen Nagrampa, chairperson of Bicolana Gabriela and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, was arrested in Nabua based on trumped up charges; and two days later, Karapatan - Bicol Spokesperson Pastor Dan San Andres was also unjustly apprehended in Sipocot on the same charges.

Along with this newly-signed Terror Law, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied a new franchise to ABS-CBN prompting the broadcast company to permanently shut down. We adhere to our stand that this is an issue of press freedom, contrary to the statement of the technical working group, as Duterte, with his growing dictatorship, shamelessly influences the “killing” of the free press.

The 13-day hearing yielded results clearing that ABS-CBN has no violations on any government institutions and has countered all accusations issued by various legislators. With the denial of franchise renewal, the House laid the case on the table “killing” the issue at hand. This brazen decision has cost millions of Filipinos, especially in remote areas, to lose access to information, more so, in this time of crisis; and they have unconscientiously deprived 11,071 employees leaving them jobless while there is economic recession aggravated by the pandemic.

Almost a month after Rappler CEO and executive editor Maria Ressa and former writer-researcher Rey Santos have been convicted of a supposed non-case suit, this regime has blatantly abused its power in pronouncing its intention to gag and leash watchdogs from holding power to account. Choosing to fight and speak for truth, and stand with integrity, in essence, for the right to information of the people affirms how crucial a role it is for journalists as we quell tyranny and crises. Critical to the checks and balances of the government, the fourth estate must remain undeterred. To shackle a free press is death for the freedom of Philippine journalism.

Duterte’s warning is clear: do not oppose his government. Criticisms and dissent can be shrouded as crimes – even our fundamental rights of protesting, journalism, and merely expressing opinions on social media posts.

This regime’s tyrannical rule and impunity shall remind us how it has once been manipulated by the previous dictator in such dark times. While in Duterte’s clutches, we have witnessed how our country’s supposedly independent branches of the government are inclined to his subservience. These state-sponsored violence and attacks on the media disposes us to an undeclared dictatorship – a de facto martial law.

In the words of the late activist Liliosa Hilao, “democracy is dead” this time in a disguised martial law that has similarly targeted dissidents and the press. Democracy has been killed. It was not homicidal, but rather it was murdered by those who swore to preserve it. The greater power rests on us whether we stand up for our rights and speak up to subdue excesses in power or we salvage what is left of our liberty.

As this administration vexes to fight its false enemy, it has left its people – the vulnerable and marginalized sectors – unsecured instead. Incompetent and unwilling to hear the clamor of millions of dissenters, this leaves us no other choice but to get organized and join mass movements to be one with the basic masses in their struggle. Denouncing all the social injustices brought about by the real terrorists in power, we must resist by finding ways to educate, organize and mobilize others. Only through militant struggle together with the masses can we vie for justice and end Duterte’s regime.






Artwork by Daniella Tribiana

11/03/2025

Impunity, whatever form it may take, must not go unpunished. In memory of all those who fell victim to fascist violence of the Duterte regime, we stand with the families and communities that continue to bear the scars—pressing forward until justice is served.

See the full statement below.

11/03/2025

𝗟𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗢𝗡 | Dasurb

Cartoon by Edward Alipio

11/03/2025

𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 | 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲: 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥

Since President Duterte took office in 2016, his vigorous neglect on the country's democracy and human rights have remained in the bright-line as seen in relentless crackdown on human rights defenders and activists, and attacks on journalists and dissenters.

The administration's Memorandum Order No. 32, which aims to contain the "sporadic acts of violence," has led to the fortified militaristic guidelines carried out in Samar, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and the Bicol region.

However, since the implementation of MO 32 headed by state forces such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, the Bicol region, among the many regions, had suffered under its tyrannic mandates.

From the year 2016 up to 2021, there have been 40 victims of extrajudicial killings in Sorsogon, 36 in Masbate, 31 in Camarines Sur, and a total of 126 casualties including all Bicol provinces.

Other human rights violations include, but not limited to threat and intimidation, violence against women and children, and illegal arrests and detention, with each case amounting to 543, 185, and 127 accounts, respectively. Moreover, 33 Bicolano political prisoners are still currently detained with trumped-up charges.

On International Human Rights Day, the call to end impunity and junk draconian laws intensify as we look into not just the statistics, but the lived experiences of progressive Bicolanos, having a total of 1,139 cases of violations of people’s human rights, as of writing. This legacy of extra-judicial killings and human rights violations make the Duterte administration liable for silencing dissent and vitiating due process in Bicol.

🎨 Val Agapito

𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 | 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲: 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥

Since President Duterte took office in 2016, his vigorous neglect on the country's democracy and human rights have remained in the bright-line as seen in relentless crackdown on human rights defenders and activists, and attacks on journalists and dissenters.

The administration's Memorandum Order No. 32, which aims to contain the "sporadic acts of violence," has led to the fortified militaristic guidelines carried out in Samar, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and the Bicol region.

However, since the implementation of MO 32 headed by state forces such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, the Bicol region, among the many regions, had suffered under its tyrannic mandates.

From the year 2016 up to 2021, there have been 40 victims of extrajudicial killings in Sorsogon, 36 in Masbate, 31 in Camarines Sur, and a total of 126 casualties including all Bicol provinces.

Other human rights violations include, but not limited to threat and intimidation, violence against women and children, and illegal arrests and detention, with each case amounting to 543, 185, and 127 accounts, respectively. Moreover, 33 Bicolano political prisoners are still currently detained with trumped-up charges.

On International Human Rights Day, the call to end impunity and junk draconian laws intensify as we look into not just the statistics, but the lived experiences of progressive Bicolanos, having a total of 1,139 cases of violations of people’s human rights, as of writing. This legacy of extra-judicial killings and human rights violations make the Duterte administration liable for silencing dissent and vitiating due process in Bicol.







🎨 Val Agapito