Malaya Movement USA condemns Marcos administration’s blacklisting of US-based activist Copeland Downs

On October 6, US-based activist Copeland Downs was denied entry into the Philippines on the false claim that he was placed on the blacklist in October 2022 for participating in a political rally as a foreigner. While that policy in and of itself is a damning measurement of democracy under the Philippine government, Downs did not  in fact participate in any rally or march but rather participated in an international observers mission to investigate the conduct of the 2022 Presidential Elections. Which then begs the question, why target Downs for his activism to ensure clean and peaceful elections if Marcos Jr. is in fact the kinder and better alternative to the Dutertes and if he in fact won fair and square?