Defend freedom of Expression!
Malaya Movement USA condemns efforts by the outgoing Duterte regime to further criminalize and vilify progressive media outlets and organizations.
On June 6th, National Security Advisor (NSA) Hermogenes Esperon Jr. issued a letter to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) claiming 27 websites including news outlet Bulatlat and the Save Our Schools Network were affiliated with and supporting terrorism. On June 28th, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ordered Rappler to shut down by canceling its certificates of incorporation.
In the final act of the Duterte regime, on the eve of the inauguration of Marcos Jr., this series of attacks on press freedom and freedom of expression is a sign of the continuation of this legacy under the new regime.
As Marcos Jr. lines his cabinets with experienced cronies, we must expose their past actions and remain vigilant.
Malaya Movement USA stands with news agencies and organizations who’ve been the target of red-tagging, Distributed Denial-of-Service attacks, threats, and vilification for the past 6 years under the Duterte regime. We demand that the agencies responsible for this series of attacks, the NTC and the SEC, to stand with the people and ensure democracy by allowing access to information that is not dictated by the government.
We call on the Filipino people to reject the Marcos-Duterte regime! As another Marcos takes Malacanang with indication of repeating atrocities of the past, let history also serve as a sign of the future-- a people's victory!
Who is Hermogenes Esperon Jr.?
This is not the first time that Esperon Jr. has disregarded Filipino life and rights. His tenure as Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff under Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo saw an increase in extra-judicial killings and disappearances. In 2019, Esperon issued a perjury complaint against Karapatan, GABRIELA, and Rural Missionaries of the Philippines after the groups sought protection after being red-tagged by the government. He currently serves as Duterte's National Security Adviserand the Vice Chair for the Anti-Terror Council and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. Esperon continued to defend the NTF-ECLAC’s budget of P19 billion dollar amidst the COVID pandemic and red-tagging of community pantries.
