Free Speech in the Philippines, Representation Lost Through Oppression

In the modern world, technology and social media have become a bastion of free speech, pushing everyone's voice to the corners of the globe. However, the treatment and acceptance of free speech has been received differently, and in some cases, like the Philippines, harshly.

BY: ETHAN LANE-DAY

Hush by Antonia Kachalkin via Instagram

Many kids nowadays growing up are taught the meaning of free speech but are unaware of what to do in the instance that their own free speech is challenged. That is unless you grow up amongst those without it.

Illustration by Nicole Koroz via Instagram

That occurred for not only myself but many others across the Philippines experiencing suppression of even their basic human rights. Like many other post-colonial countries, the Philippines has had a bumpy relationship with the practice of free speech. From Ferdinand Marco’s crackdown and Martial law to the current administration and Duterte’s one-sided media, free speech hasn’t been on the main stage for the Filipino public. In recent times, the Philippines has had its collection of large systematic issues from extrajudicial killings claiming thousands and a pandemic ravishing poorly built infrastructure. However, that does not mean that free speech suppression simply disappeared in place of other issues. Instead, media control, especially in the hands of the government, has become even stronger than before.

One example of this is the recent rescinding of certain media licenses. As certain publications in the Philippines like Rappler became more popular and turned critical of President Duterte, their “operating license” was quickly revoked and they were threatened to close down the publication. The government was quick to explain it away through the argument that it was illegal because of supposed “foreign ownership” in Rappler. As Duterte explained that this was not politically motivated, it seems difficult to see how this situation could not be more ideal. It allowed the government to take a stab at an outlet bothering them as well as further intimidate the general public, while avoiding any possible backlash. Even more troubling are the jail sentences that come with Duterte’s supposed accusations of “misinformation.” The same instances that I seem to have read about in my high school English class of 1984 and A Brave New World, of governments explaining away human rights abuses under the guise of the greater good. The CEO of Rappler and free speech activist, Maria Ressa, was taken in for “Cyber Libel” which could land her with up to 6 years in jail. While Ressa was released pending bail, she describes this instance as “politically motivated” and “death by a thousand cuts–not just of press freedom but of democracy,” as the government targets critical news outlets.

Maria Ressa / Photo via Reuters

These actions and attacks paint a troubling picture for the rest of the world looking in. Telling everyday friends and family that back home criticism of the government isn't taken with the same weight it is in Canada, that the mere mention of an issue with Duterte could land a reporter in jail. Coincidentally, citizens found that it was often individuals and outlets like Ressa and Rappler that were often caught in the sights of Duterte and not many of the pro-government newspapers. Even more important issues, like the thousands of people killed in Duterte’s extrajudicial “War on drugs,” go unreported as individuals often hesitate to speak out. Or even the thousands of unacknowledged human rights abuses that caused the Philippines to slip from a human rights score of 0.52 the year before Duterte took power, to a measly 0.41 in 2020. Compared to the world average of 0.57 and the regional average of 0.56, the Philippines is even worse off than countries like Malaysia (0.52) and Indonesia (0.52).

Image Via Our World in Data

But of course, there are other audiences that champion Duterte's “strongman” approach. From those who believe he is weeding out the weak in people addicted to drugs or even those who believe politicians should be more aggressive in steering the country, Duterte will always hold their unwavering support. What this means is that, even if Duterte himself does not squash free speech, his supporters are more than happy to follow his example. Even the instance of catholic schoolgirls speaking out against past tyrannical leader Ferdinand Marcos being buried in a heroes cemetery with full honors was met with backlash from both real Duterte supporters and many more “pro-government trolls using fake accounts.” Many of these people go under the title of  DDS (Diehard Duterte Supporters), which is a further play on Duterte’s infamous enlisted DDS (Davao Death Squad) that, while Duterte was mayor, performed hundreds of extrajudicial killings, taking the lives of over 1000 people in the southern Philippines. 

Of course, the Philippines is not quite the place of beauty that the travel brochures will lead you to believe. But if you look beyond the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” tourist ads and into the heart of the Filippino people, you can see the true voice of a population gasping for air underneath Duterte’s iron grip. In the end, it may have to be a rediscovered Filippino people utilizing both their social media and votes to get their voices heard.