“Being able to use my platform, use the NBA’s platform, to continue to talk about what’s going on. Because I will not stop until I see real change for us in Black America, for African Americans, for people of color. And I also believe I can do both, though.”

Compared to documentaries that either capture the Philippines’ drug war from a Western perspective or have an international audience in mind, Arumpac’s documentary goes for a deep Filipino treatment. It uses the myth of the aswang as its throughline, imbuing the film with dark, magical realism. Scenes are punctuated with an almost lyrical delivery of lines that often start with the words “Kapag sinabi nilang may aswang, ang ibig sabihin nila: matakot ka.” (Whenever they say there is an aswang around, what they really mean is: be afraid.)

Taking a page out of the NBA’s social justice campaign playbook, the embattled media outlet asked players to choose from a set of relevant phrases like “Never again,” “Malayang midya” (free press), and “Hindi kami mananahimik” (We will not be silent).

Big blow to democracy

The denial of ABS-CBN’s bid for a fresh franchise is a “big blow to Philippine democracy,” Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon said.

“It is but the latest of a series of attempts by the administration to silence dissent and to prevent persons and institutions from exercising their freedom and right to free speech and expression,” he said.

Buzon said he is praying that “God may enlighten our leaders so that they may fulfill their duty to preserve the common good and the rights of the people who elected them to be their protectors.”

He also called on the people to “remain ever vigilant, lest we fall again to another tragic authoritarian rule. God help us.” – Rappler.com

Therefore, the law enforcement officials and military personnel need only to allege any of these 3 for someone to be suspected of terrorism. Moreover, as already stated above, terrorism as defined in the law is overbroad, and so despite the proviso, it is easy to conflate legitimate dissent and terrorism. Hence, individuals and groups are advised to be more cautious now as they question the law. Of highest priority is to be vigilant against infiltrators who would hijack protest actions and endanger everyone.