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Posts Tagged ‘Philippines’

Statement from Etniko Bandido about the Anti-Terror Bill and in solidarity to Black Lives Matter (Philippines)

Saturday, June 13th, 2020

#Flush the Terror Bill in the Toilet Bowl #Government is the Real TERRORIST #Abolish Fascist State #In Solidarity to Black Lives Matter

At this moment in time, abuse of power and the dominance by police, military, politician and State itself are became common practices in different parts of world. In the US, the police killed George Floyd in broad daylight with witnesses standing in front of them. The urge to repress the breathing of a human being justify how State’s forces cruel intention towards its people. This kind of killing and violence made by the police, military and authority in uniform in many parts of the world shows how savagery and dangerous in living under this system. In the Philippines alone, more than 20,000 lives lost since 2016 in the so-called War on Drugs instigated by the State. In the history of human kind, you cannot make an assurance living peacefully while at the same time having a police or military in your community because this people are being summoned by the State to suppress and oppress the people, being an authority gives them an entitlement to use their guns in any way possible. It is very clear for an ordinary citizen to see how authority behave, they are not here “to protect and serve”, they are just here to show their power over its people. That’s the very essence of “Authority”. (more…)

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Posted in Autonomy

“You’re not radical enough”: Reflections on Philippine Leftist Exclusionism

Wednesday, June 10th, 2020

Original article by Adrienne Onday.

When I was an undergrad, I had to fight so many people to allow my voice and opinions to be heard. The central point of my struggle as a young activist then was to get formally organized activists to realize that speaking up is a form of action, too; that not being part of any organization or not being as physically and publicly active in political struggles as they were didn’t mean you weren’t one; that just because someone isn’t doing activism and radicalism the exact same way the established Left does, doesn’t mean they aren’t activists or radicals.

At the time, I was a middle-class kid tied to my meager-for-a-middle-class-kid allowance, my home life, and my mental health struggles. I couldn’t leave our house as much even if I tried because I didn’t have the money to, nor did I have parental permission to go to faraway (anything beyond Quezon City was far to my Marikina-based family) political events that typically last into the night. I also had to deal with crippling anxiety—I used to have attacks at least once a week, and having an attack in public where I knew no one well enough who could help me or send me to safety would not have been a good situation for me. These attacks, growing frequent around 2013 when I started university, lasted well into 2016-2017, when I started becoming more visible at protests and the general political sphere. (more…)

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Posted in Autonomy

Philippines: ‘Against the Terror of Anti-Terror’

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

+ An Anarchist Opposition to the Anti-Terror Act and the Terrorism of the State

Written by Malaginoo.

The Philippine government is another step closer to revealing its true self: an undemocratic, oppressive entity ready to protect and serve the interests of the powerful, wealthy, and privileged few. Before there was talk of lockdowns and quarantines during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was the issue of updating the Human Security Act, a law defining the parameters of terrorism. After many days and weeks of politicking, grandstanding, and red-tagging, Congress unveiled the 2020 Anti-Terror Bill.1

In it, the government aims to strip whatever semblance of constitutional liberties and rights are left after the Duterte administration’s stints into extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses, that have claimed upwards of 5,000 lives and left indelible marks on the lives of countless Filipino families.2

On the 28th of February 2020, the Senate passed their version of the Anti-Terror bill, with 19 senators voting yes, and only 2 voting no.3 Debate still rages in the House of Representatives on its merits and its dangers,4 however, as of the 29th of May, two congressional committees approved the Anti-Terror Bill.5 As the people of the archipelago face the greatest health crisis of this century without mass testing, public safety, and financial stability, Congress is trying to take advantage of us while we are down and already suffering from pandemic and the excesses of government. (more…)

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Posted in Social Control

Towards an Anarchism in the Philippine Archipelago

Saturday, May 16th, 2020

Abstract: The politics in the Philippine archipelago is dominated by hierarchical and alienating politics as represented by reformism and National Democracy. Against these the paper forwards the liberatory politics of anarchism. The paper introduces anarchist concepts such as egalitarian organizing, mutual aid, and direct action for people unfamiliar with these concepts. After situating anarchism in the anti-authoritarian struggles in the archipelago, the paper also argues for a shift in the anarchist politics of the archipelago from an autonomist anarchism towards a revolutionary politics as a social movement.

There is a necessity for a liberatory politics in the Archipelago known as the Philippines and as anarchists we think Anarchism has the framework to fill this need. The dominant forms of politics we have now are insufficient for developing a liberatory politics in the archipelago. This liberatory politics becomes a necessity because politics in the Philippines is currently an alienating affair—a politics done to people rather than people doing politics. We are also dominated by domineering structures and institutions like the market, capitalism, and the state. Against these we forward the liberatory politics of anarchism for a world beyond domination.

Download PDF: Towards an Anarchism in the Philippine Archipelago (revision 2020-04-04)

via AWW & Bandilang Itam.

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Posted in Autonomy

Local Autonomous Network Statement on the Alleged Anarchist Crackdown in the Philippines

Thursday, May 14th, 2020

The Local Autonomous Network (LAN) is a loose network of individuals and collectives composed of anarchist, anti-authoritarian, and autonomous activists here in the Archipelago of so-called Philippines. Since the early 2000s, the people behind the network have been consistently in contact with another regardless if they are from the southern or northern part of the Archipelago. The network has no formal membership and is presented as an informal organization. The network has its own level of understanding and trust with each other, which comes from the process of the relentless organizing, campaigning and initiating different activities and projects.

We have heard about a report published online from groups abroad about an anti-anarchist crackdown in the Philippines. The report is entitled “The Philippines—The continuing crackdown on anarchists” and was first published by the UK-based Anarchist Communist Group (ACG) and was later copied and distributed onto other international anarchist sites. Most of the people involved in Local Autonomous Network had the same reaction to this report: “this is alarming.” As this is a local matter, we decided to investigate the report and do our own research locally on what was the real situation of the anarchists on the ground.

To give context, it is true that the Duterte regime is an oppressive and repressive government, even more so than with previous presidents in previous regimes. The War on Drugs that Duterte started in 2016 and has been conducted since has killed an estimated 30,000 people; this is a fact. Some of the victims of the Extra-Judicial Killings (EJK) in the War on Drugs have been drug personalities, but hundreds of EJK victims were not even connected to any kind of drug-related issue. Continuous killings and assassinations were also conducted against leftists, dissidents, peasant leaders, community organizers, and other activists. Anarchists in the Philippines were not spared and in 2018 saw Food Not Bombs volunteers murdered and arrested. (See the report: “Four Food Not Bombs Volunteers were Killed in Philippine Drug War and One Volunteer is in Jail”.) (more…)

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Posted in Social Control

Anti-Authoritarian action against Fascism (Philippines)

Monday, September 25th, 2017

Remembering this day Sept.21, one of the horrific and tragic moment happened in the history of the Philippines. Martial Law was declared by President Marcos to suppress and repress most of the people. Rampant violence, forced disappearance, arrest, killings and torture experienced by dissidents and common people who are criticizing the authoritarian regime at that time.

Today, Duterte’s administration was also following the path for being a totalitarian and a fascist by putting people’s lives on his own hands defying constitutional and human rights. Declaring Martial Law in Mindanao and instigating War on Drugs policy by killings thousands of poor people. This regime are misleading the people by their fake news by putting their effort on drug related issue to stop criminality and not confronting the real problem of the society, that social injustice like poverty, no job opportunity, no social welfare, forced displacement are the main cause and this injustices are already violence. (more…)

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Posted in Anti-Fascist

Critical Mass Baliuag – “Bikes against Coal and Fossil Fuels” (Philippines)

Sunday, November 27th, 2016

Bulacan is one of the major industrial and agricultural center. It is strategically located between the commercial center of Manila and the industrial and trading centers of Northern Luzon.  One of the traditional rice granary of the Philippines. Despite the great challenge posed by El Niño on agriculture, this province pulled off a bountiful harvest that has propelled it to being recognized by the Department of Agriculture as a Hall of Famer in the Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Award.

All of a sudden this claim progressively changing due to land conversion for real estate development, mall culture and consumerism. The food production in this area are now getting low because vast agricultural land are now becoming a low-cost housing project, supermarkets and malls. (more…)

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Posted in Eco Struggle

Solidarity Funds Appeal for Forever21 Workers (Philippines)

Sunday, September 4th, 2016

Image above is a photo of Forever21 garment factory workers on their two year long boycott of the said company. Presently Forever21 is seeking to investigate who is agitating and identify the struggling workers and campaigners to harass and sue them. Despite this the workers are not scared and will not back down. Help spread this appeal and the previous article in solidarity to their fight. Strike, sabotage, boycott, flames to corporate leeches.

Six Forever21 workers (three which has their employment ended) is currently on an on-going court case against Forever21. Please help cover:

1. Court expenses.

2. Personal necessities to those who’s currently finding new work which wont have them paid for a month or two.

3. Medical expenses for the father of one of our folks who’s currently confined in the hospital and don’t have healthcare to cover cost as Forever21 denied them this benefit.

https://www.youcaring.com/6-forever21-workers-in-the-philippines-627366

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Posted in Autonomy

Initiatives, projects and some anarchist news… (Philippines)

Friday, August 12th, 2016

Recently the anarchist comrades of Etnikobandido uploaded several posts about their recent activities in Philippines, check out their blog here.

Art, Ecology, Resistance 2016

2015 was recorded to be the hottest year in the history of mankind. Meanwhile the recent typhoon Yolanda was tagged to be the strongest storm, which has already been exceeded by other storms from other countries. Changes in weather patterns has become unexplainably irregular. These are the symptoms of Climate Change, which is for the most part caused by human activity.

People had invented technology that rely on limited sources such as minerals from underground. The act of taking and processing materials like these causes substantial amount of carbon, which heats up the planet at a faster rate. This heat affects the whole world. A cold place snows up easier, while hot places dry up more more easily. It also storms more often in places where rain usually falls. Sadly, this kind of deluge hits developing countries often. (more…)

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Posted in Eco Struggle

International call to boycott ‘Forever21’ by its call center workers (Philippines)

Sunday, August 7th, 2016

Forever21 has a long history of labour lawsuits (aside from gender and discrimination, copyright violations) filed against them by their own employees. In early June this year, six employees (from an initial dozen holding meetings) from its outsourced call center in the Philippines have finally decided to take the necessary steps to hold the company accountable for its unfair labour practices.

History speaks for itself—these are the same old practices that Forever21 has already been sued for: exploitative scheduling practices where employees are made to work overtime (unannounced or announced two minutes before the end of their shifts), where anyone who refuses are threatened to be fined for insubordination; delaying lunches and breaks due to staff shortages and eventually shortening the allotted lunch time from an hour to 45 minutes; delayed salary; unfiled paperwork for employee dependents’ medical benefits; threats and harassment towards employees who speak up (sometimes resulting in termination). (more…)

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Posted in Autonomy

Call out for contributions – ‘Autonomous Spaces: Why is it important & why do we need them?’

Tuesday, April 5th, 2016

Call out from Greenhouse Infoshop Project, Philippines.

Email: emmagold_man [at] yahoo [dot] com

greenhouseinfoshop.blogspot.com

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Posted in Autonomy

New Book : ‘Anarcha-Feminists in the Philippines’ launched at Equality Fest 2016

Monday, March 28th, 2016

We just collectively organized recently a one week event called “Equality Fest” March 6, 2016- March 13, 2016. This event was our solidarity activities in celebration of women’s month. There was a book launched/discussion and presentation about Anarcha-Feminists in the Philippines, there were also art exhibition, film screening, skill-sharing/workshops, free market and Food Not Bombs, interpretative dance and gig.

The Anarcha-Feminists in the Philippines Book was made by three entities, Mobile Anarchist School Project who conceptualize the book making project, Die Media who made the research studies, Etniko Bandido Infoshop who print and publish the book in English. (more…)

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Posted in Autonomy

Manila: Anarchist intervention against APEC Summit (Philippines)

Tuesday, November 24th, 2015

Local Autonomous Network or LAN is a network of autonomous activists and anarchists that has multiple activities in relation to their various campaigns and initiatives. Most of the affiliated activists whether groups or collectives are active since 1990s which sustained activities such as skills and information sharing through independent publications, video and audio/music recording, workshops, forums and conferences. Urban gardening and application of solar generator system in households and art workshops are one among consistent interests of the activists that are being implemented, improved and shared to their immediate communities. LAN has hosts of network from Manila South to North and nearby provinces of Cavite and Bulacan (Sapang-Palay and Baliwag). During early processes of LANS’s formation autonomous activists from Davao and Leyte were present and actively participated the activities and discussions.
(more…)

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Posted in Direct Action

'Panggayaw' for Lumad self-determination and autonomy for other Indigenous Communities (Philippines)

Tuesday, November 10th, 2015

There is quite a number of cultures existing and continuously practiced by different indigenous communities in the islands. It is estimated that there is 110 languages in the archipelago and the concept of “Manggayaw” or “Panggayaw” is commonplace. The said word is being used by indigenous communities in different areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. It corresponds with attacking from the waters or land on specific targets considered to be “enemies”.

Manggayaw or Panggayaw could be due to various reasons such as revenge, protection, raiding for marriage or pillaging for its own sake and slave trading in certain places.

Barbaric could be the first thing which comes to minds. Others consider it an uncivilized act based on how we were raised and brought up by our society. This could only be the case if the institutions like the government, market, school or church shaped our consciousness the way it did.

Therefore it is so much better to be familiar with this part of our culture which our ancestors are proud and considered to be positive in regards to marriage, blood pact, trade and even warfare. It is an imperative for many Lumads in the archipelago to engage in Panggayaw or “Panggagamot.” These practices are imbedded in our belief system which resonates also with marriage, planting, hunting, exchange and ritual offerings to indigenous spirits.

According to the colonizers (republican government, communists and the church) these practices which emanated from our ancestors are backward and needed to be replaced. (more…)

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Posted in Autonomy

Solidarity to the fight of the Lumad people (Philippines)

Sunday, November 8th, 2015

We are currently supporting a campaign of the Lumad, an indigenous people who are victimized by atrocities of three institutions : the corporations, government military/para-military and left-wing insurgents (New People’s Army – NPA).

Our call is:
END LUMAD EXPLOITATION AND KILLINGS!
LET THE LUMAD SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES!
CORPORATIONS, STATE MILITARY AND LEFT-WING INSURGENTS – KEEP OUT OF LUMAD ANCESTRAL LANDS.
DON’T BE USED BY LEFT AND RIGHT WING PARTIES.
FIGHT FOR AUTONOMY!

The Lumad comprise the indigenous people living in Southern Mindanao. They have become refugees in different parts of the country as they flee from escalating violence, rape and harassment.

Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP)
Public Statement

4 September 2015 – AIPP strongly condemns the continued brutal killings of Lumads in Mindanao of the Philippines at the hands of paramilitary groups and security forces. At least 13 Lumad human rights defenders and community members, including two children, have been killed in five incidents of extrajudicial killings and four massacres in the past eight months, with the recent killings of Emerito Samarca, Executive Director of a tribal school, and two other Lumad leaders in Surigao del Sur on 1 September. In the aftermath of the killings, more than 4000 Lumads evacuated to a neighboring village due to fear for their safety, and schools have been closed down. (more…)

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Posted in Autonomy