Yesterday, Malaya Movement USA’s Instagram profile was temporarily suspended for the first time, just a day after our statement regarding the congressional hearings on Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s move to restore himself as the mayor of Davao City, amid the public rivalry between the short-lived Uniteam, spells danger for Filipinos in the coming years. Given both dynasty’s penchant for political violence, Malaya Movement USA urges advocates, public personalities, and the rest of the electorate to be on guard and denounce this prelude to political warfare.

This October, Malaya Movement USA chapters across the country took part in Filipino-American History Month. We joined different organizations under the theme “Struggle, Resistance, Solidarity, and Resilience” 

Each year for FAHM, Malaya Movement USA highlights the history and legacy of Filipino-led anti-fascist organizing against Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s dictatorial rule in the Philippines and crimes committed under Martial Law in 1972. Marcos Sr.’s reign directly caused thousands of Filipinos to leave the country to escape political repression and the economic crisis caused by a system of unmitigated corruption he himself manufactured.

As the Philippine Congress investigates former dictator President Rodrigo Duterte’s War on Drugs, Malaya Movement USA reiterates our ongoing commitment to the victims and survivors of the deadly war. Our organization was founded in direct response to this mindless killing spree that many have been fooled into thinking ended with the elder Duterte.  This investigation is one step in holding Duterte and his fascist ilk accountable for the over 30,000 killed during his reign, but it is not enough.

Preview: Malaya Movement Immersion Trip 2024

Last month, Malaya Movement chapters and affiliate members across the United States participated in our first-ever immersion trip to the Philippines to learn about the human rights situation and economic realities of communities on the ground.

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?