"Despite numerous strikes and numerous deaths, the Palestinian struggle remains strong"

"Despite numerous strikes and numerous deaths,
the Palestinian struggle remains strong"

by Kat Ulrike

The recent actions in Gaza between Palestine and Israel has created a new wave of opposition after Israel Defence Forces (IDF) shelled the city both from air and ground over the past four days killing more than 100 Palestinians.

Using the pretext of "response from Islamist group Hamas's rocket strikes" in Tel Aviv and other surrounding villages in southern Israel, Hundreds of airstrikes from the IDF started in May 11 hit residences and crowded areas in Gaza, home to more than 2 million Palestinians. A residential tower housing 80 families was even bombed and reduced to rubble, and a tower where news agencies like the Associated Press and Al Jazeera didn't escape the air strikes brought by the IDF. 

This action provoked anger by Palestinians as well as those demand for peace in the region. And despite Israeli authorities justification particularly those of targeting leaders behind the said rocket attacks, those whose families died and homes destroyed sought to exact a heavy price in their actions. Thus, along with those demanding for peace in the "Holy Land" and solidarity with victims, denounces in the strongest terms the armed actions the Zionist-led authorities has brought against them. 

However, amidst widespread outcry against the attacks, the orderists, whether driven by a "distorted faith" or "simply politics" continues to defend Israel's move towards Gaza, if not considering the violence as a political strategy especially in maintain Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party dominance amidst popular opposition to his rule. In fact, before the escalation, political rivals like Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett were in talks to form a "government" (including the Arab list) that's meant to unseat the prime minister. However, though the state of "permanent war" and "occupation" against Palestinians this brought stability in Netanyahu's prime ministership, which he has held for the past 12 years. The right-leaning settler movement even supported such aims regarding the conflict, especially those whose settlements in the west bank were once under Palestinian patrimony. 

But regardless of the justifications, the actions brought by Israel means intensified resistance by the Palestinians. Be it peaceful or armed, Palestinians from all walks of life is willing to sacrifice their lives to avenge their compatriots died in those bombings despite threats from Zionist authorities. On other side, Expect apologists especially those from the United States, defending Israel by saying "Israelis having the right to defend itself" despite numerous atrocities against Palestinians, even providing military aid, and blocked the UN Security Council from issuing statement regarding the escalating attacks against them and their communities. Expect as well those whose distorted Christian beliefs interpret the conflict as a "good versus evil" struggle- despite reports of radical Jewish fundamentalist actions against Palestinian Christians. Even Jews who disagreed with Zionist aims also can't escape scrutiny from the Zionist establishment with arrests and harassments within their communities. Not surprising that in this escalated conflict also means an intensified call for peace and solidarity between Palestinian Jews and Arabs, all in pursuit of realising a democratic and secular Palestinian homeland through a just struggle for their right to return to their home that has been brutally occupied by the state of Israel. For 73 years, the people of Palestine have borne the continuing Nakba or the catastrophe of their displacement.

"When thousands of youths changed China: Thoughts after the May 4th Movement"

"When thousands of youths changed China:
Thoughts after the May 4th Movement" 

Some decades ago, protests in Beijing marked a new stage in China's struggle against imperialism and feudalism. 

Commonly known as the May 4th movement, this important part of history was one of the manifestations of China's revolutionary experience since the downfall of the Qing dynasty and its foundation as a republic in 1911. This movement also made an appearance, a new camp consists of the working class, the studentry, professionals, and the new "national bourgeoisie" whose call was a renewed patriotism. And around the time of this important event, that thousands of students converged in Beijing, all voicing out their opposition against Japanese intrusion in China's affairs, of unequal treaties with western countries, to punish interest-seekers from the Beiyang government, and to revive China's nationalism with the pressing need for sociopolitical reforms. In these respects, this May 4th movement "went a step beyond the revolution of 1911".

Background

To look back at China's history, China's desire for national rebirth was borne out of various struggles: the Opium war, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, the Sino-Japanese war of 1894, the Guangxu reforms, the Boxer Rebellion, the 1911 revolution, the war against warlords, even the civil war between Kuomintang and the Communists, and the renewed battle against the Japanese during the Second World War. From those times, China's experience was all about the need for rebirth after years of subjugation by the subservient, corrupt, and despotic lords whose interests prevailed over those of the nation's, that even with "reforms" this failed as the very order itself became a stumbling block, rather than a guide in a quest for a nation's redemption. 

"Science", "Democracy", and an end to foreign-led subjugation

In what came to be known as the May 4th movement, Chinese student leaders, along with professionals, protested against the Chinese government's subservience to the interests of foreign powers especially after its capitulation at the Treaty of Versailles. At those times, China joined the First World War at the side of the Allies by mobilising its labour force in the western front, with the expectation that China be able to get back German-occupied Jiaozhou (especially Qingdao)- that only to end occupied by Japan.

And to think that the Chinese felt the promises of "self determination" as written in the "fourteen points" of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson; that China demanded an end to extraterritoriality for foreign powers on its soil, and a cancellation of Japan’s exploitative ‘Twenty-One Demands'. However, none of the China's demands were taken seriously by the representatives of the Allied powers, even Wilson himself. Part of the problem for China was that pursuant to the ‘Twenty-One Demands’ China had conceded to Japan former control of Germany’s holdings. In the allies’ view, this made the Chinese appeal at the Paris Peace Conference a non-starter—especially when diplomatic energies could be directed toward the more pressing issue of dealing with Germany. In the end, China walked away from the Paris Peace Conference with nothing in hand. Worse yet, Jiaozhou and its city, Qingdao had fallen into the hands of the Japanese, who had defeated China during the first Sino-Japanese war and became a symbol for China’s growing nationalist anger at the time.

For the Chinese, the May 4th Movement was more than just a series of mass actions and an outpour of thoughts. For in a country that’s trying to break away from being an appendage of corrupt and subservient rulers and not-so-serious members of the scholar-bureaucrats, the Chinese folk had to “assert” their desire for self-determination as a nation in the face of imperialist threat and domestic reaction that's prevailing. On the other side, the protests forced the government to accept the widespread grievances and respond, though it was too late to have Chinese interests be represented in the post-war settlement. The Beiyang government condemned the Treaty of Versailles, satisfying a core symbolic issue for the protesters. The government also fired Cao Rulin, Zhang Zongxiang, and Lu Zongyu, China’s representatives at the Paris Peace Conference. And finally, the government agreed to release all students arrested during the protests.

Its timeless significance

Being an outpour of thought and action, this movement was directed toward national independence, emancipation of the individual, and rebuilding society and culture, all after centuries of strangled by the seeming invincibility and deadly pervasiveness of tradition. With the mobilisations in Beijing, being ultimately successful in its goal, showed the power of collective action and building sentiment against imperialism and of domestic reaction. The event was also significant in that it was during a time of diverse, open intellectual fervor, especially that with the "New Culture Movement", stressed the importance of Democracy and Science ('Mr. D. and Mr. S.') would allow people to liberate their thinking and free themselves from the past. However, the pressing issue of national salvation came to overshadow that earlier movement for cultural renewal and self-liberation. 

For the orderists, this kind of action really disrupted China. That other than protests and outpour of dissent, also created discussions, if not debates between modernists and conservatives regarding China's destiny as a nation; and even overhearing accusations such as Guomindang's Chiang Kai-Shek who branded the said movement as "corrupting morals", promoted Confucianism, even controlled education at various levels as he purged "western ideas" in favour of his conservative view. Others, like liang Shuming, wanted to based new systems on Chinese values; or Li Changzhi, who dismissed the May 4th movement as "simply copying western culture" and "lost the essense of its own". 

But this doesn't stop the youth and intellectuals from learning and fighting for their struggling homeland as they've become really concerned about its state of affairs. As what Mao Zedong said: "In the Chinese democratic revolutionary movement, it was the intellectuals who were the first to awaken. This was clearly demonstrated both in the Revolution of 1911 and in the May 4th Movement, and in the days of the May 4th Movement the intellectuals were more numerous and more politically conscious than in the days of the Revolution of 1911. But the intellectuals will accomplish nothing if they fail to integrate themselves with the workers and peasants. In the final analysis, the dividing line between revolutionary intellectuals and non-revolutionary or counter-revolutionary intellectuals is whether or not they are willing to integrate themselves with the workers and peasants and actually do so. Ultimately it is this alone, and not professions of faith in the Three People's Principles or in Marxism, that distinguishes one from the other. A true revolutionary must be one who is willing to integrate himself with the workers and peasants and actually does so."

Overall, the actions exhorted the Chinese folk to place China's national interests above all others. Before the movement, Chinese diplomats had a gentle approach to many unequal contracts. China's diplomatic backpedals have emboldened foreign exploiters, who see China as a weakling who does not know how to refuse. Another outcome was the promotion of written vernacular Chinese (白话文) over literary or classical Chinese, as Hu Shih, proclaiming that "a dead language cannot produce a living literature", wanted to replace traditional Confucian learning with a modern approach especially in research. 

***

As for the Filipinos, the May 4th Movement and the earlier "New Culture Movement" were all but Chinese versions of the Propaganda Movement, whose call was national awakening. The Chinese had its Le Jeunesse and the Philippines, its La Solidaridad. The Chinese had its Lu Xun and Chen Duxiu, while the Philippines had its own personages such as Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. Del Pilar. The desires of both movements were ranging from a series of radical reforms to an outright revolution, with China wishing for a new society "breaking away from old ideas" using "Science and Democracy", while the Philippines yearning for "recognising the Filipinos as those of Spaniards", "reinstatement of representation in the Spanish Cortes" to those of "outright Independence" as what happened in the 1896 revolution. 

But what was clear was how both movements in China and in the Philippines was its leaders' interest in modernisation, of science, and the future-forward outlook against the backwardness and enforced "contentment" in these two countries. That somehow would say not surprising if its succeeding generations would follow suit in the desire for both national and social liberation: that Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, would follow the aspirations of Lu Xun and Li Dazhao; as Claro M. Recto, or even Jose Maria Sison, would follow those of Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, and Isabelo de los Reyes who in turn followed either Rudolf Virchow, Robespierre, or Karl Marx. The outpour of popular dissent, ideal, of "really moving forward" in a renewed nationalism meant challenging both a subservient order and a foreign overlord that dictates every policy people detests with. On the first place, why on earth should a nation be subservient? Is it because that domineering nation acting as a 'master' has its power be it economic means to those of use of arms? 

Perhaps for the concerned, especially after tensions between the Philippines and China over the contested isles and shoals in the West Philippine Sea, should think what the Chinese did during its earlier times. Whereas Duterte et al. acted like those of the Beiyang government kowtowing to entrenched interests and agreeing to the unequal treaties and agreements, the Filipino folk should stand up and oppose such submission. Furthermore, the Filipino should realise the importance of national interest with the promotion of a sound national economy, a patriotic and popular education and culture, and a true independent foreign policy that neither from Beijing nor Washington, Wall Street or Shanghai Bund will dictate those from Manila. For sure people may disagree how this note compares the Philippines of today with those of Beiyang-era China, but look at Duterte and his camarilla did, isn't that reminds of warlord Yuan Shikai and Zhang Zuolin whose interests and yearn for power prevail over those of the folk? Perhaps, the Filipino needs a May 4th scenario and a renewed Propaganda movement. 

Amidst pandemic and The working folk cannot stop from fighting

 Amidst pandemic and The working folk cannot stop from fighting

by Kat Ulrike

At first, this note firmly salutes the working class in celebration of the International Workers Day. This occassion marks the labouring folk's continuous struggle for a just society amidst intesnse crisis around the world and intensified oppression, exploitation of workers and of the toiling masses. Through this commemoration let the folk strengthen its determination not just to assert its just calls for decent wage and better living conditions, but to advance the struggle to put forward a just new society. 

Like the struggles of the labouring folk in the past, its lessons has served as beacon, an inspiration for the Filipino working class. The Paris Commune, the Russian Revolution, even the first Labour Day protest in the Philippines has brought lessons that for the Filipino working class continue to carry up to present. 

For sure the order and its apologists would try to downplay the patriotic and proletarian fervour of the Filipino labouring folk. The fact that in this current situation wherein age old problems (low wages, contractualisation, unjust working conditions, repression of unions and concerned laborers alike) has intensify struggles for nationalism, democracy, and freedom for the folk. 

***

This problem also aggravates with the COVID19 pandemic that continues to rage as more and more Filipinos becoming infected, and still downplayed by the government alongside its failed response and denial of appropriate medical attention. The order's treatment of the pandemic as "peace and order" rather than "medical" matter has shown through massive checkpoints and militarisation rather than ensuring the people's welfare; of scrimped funds for mass testing, treatment, effective contact tracing, and support for medical frontliners while bigger funds for his agendas that benefited those of his camarilla especially those from the police and the armed forces. Worse, during the pandemic, instead of focusing on disentangling the Filipino people, it used the ensuing social turmoil as a leverage to hasten the enactment of anti-people laws in the congress and senate.

Again, the order and its apologists would downplay this matter as it insists that their idol Duterte "tries its best" to control the problem. While favouring those of interest seekers, the economic crisis brought by COVID19 continues to aggravate. Almost 11 million remained unemployed, that worker's wages remain extremely low. Distribution of subsidies for the folk as slow and insufficient amidst rising prices of commodities and services. But again, the order's treatment of this pandemic is way far from its neighbours- that as Indonesia, Vietnam approached it with both medical and scientific means, Duterte's way of treating the pandemic remains militarised in a form of checkpoints, prolonged curfew, if not harassments against concerned groups and persons whose calls include just wages, subsidies, an end to contractualisation, and others. The regime, by having half-hearted approaches to the demands of the needy has causing people to starve, beg, and line up in long queues for food aid- way far from his passage of the Rice Tarrification Law (RTL), the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, the Philippine Program for Recovery with Equity and Solidarity (PH-PROGRESO), the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and Higher Quality Opportunities (TRABAHO) Bill which became the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (CITIRA), and the new Corporate Recovery, and the Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Bill. All these are but neoliberal reforms and policies that favor foreign capitalists and the big landlord-comprador oligarchs with tax cuts and various concessions, all for the preservation of the semicolonial and semifeudal features of the country.

The crisis also created heavier blows against workers. Under a regime that's pursuing continuity contrary to its earlier message of "change" and "inclusive development", state-sponsored oppression and exploitation continues to intensify in the form of lower wages, contractualisation, lack of protection in workplaces, and unjust working conditions amid the pandemic. In an attempt to silence opposition (including those who expressed concern), attacks against organized labor are also worsening such as attempts to disunite workers, surveillance on union organizing in enclaves, killing union leaders, and threats against their members and supporters. Even in the countryside, where militarisation is at worst, disrupts socio-economic life as it consolidates interests of the few who supports the "efforts" of the Duterte regime- that those who call for genuine agrarian reform and rural empowerment as tantamount to terrorism and hence . These measures, coupled with the lack of adequate health services and relief, further serve to exacerbate the growing fear and panic among the people. And along with red-tagging, the suppression of the Filipino people’s basic freedoms and democratic rights, and other countless human rights violations (HRVs), these relentless attacks against the Filipino folk, as justified with the implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Law (ATL) and the creation of the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

***

Other than the affected workers in the cities and in the countryside, concerned individuals, including those who organised the community pantries been faced condemnation, and surveillance by the order. The community pantries served as a temporary measure by means of mutual aid towards the needy workers and other affected sectors, but the order detested it as a "superspreader" of virus if not an act of rebellion against the regime. Again, the order's perception towards this mutual aid is way contrary to the actions the order appears willing to accommodate such as those offered by the United States and China in a form of military and economic aid that benefited those of the military establishment and of the bureaucrats. 
And while following the dictates of both United States and China for a pittance of economic and military packages, the Duterte regime continues to justify kowtowing be it the United States for Military aid, and China for huge loans with high interests for their "Build, Build, Build" projects. Moreover, due to the fact that they have amassed and continue to accumulate enormous corruptions from Chinese investment contracts, loans and vaccines, Duterte and his camarilla, contrary to their "defence of sovereignty", has let imperialist China freely continue its economic and military interventionism in the rich West Philippine Sea (WPS) with its manmade islands, military installations, even refraining Filipino fishermen from entering the contested waters; while trying to curry favour with the United States for military aid contrary to Duterte's feigning "anti-Americanism" and promises of scrapping the Visiting Forces Agreement. 

***

Such fears brought by the order as well as this COVID19 pandemic doesn't stop the labouring folk from fighting. No matter how the order passed its antipeople laws, intensify repression, or silence those who expressed dissent and calling for radical alternatives, That the folk, having seeking truth from facts, exposed and criticised the regime’s incompetence in giving assistance to millions who are forcibly unemployed because of its militaristic treatment in facing the pandemic. Within and outside the country, workers are becoming more condemnatory and active in rising up against the anti-people policies of the regime. 
And because of this growing awareness, the working folk must rise, stand at the forefront of struggle for nationalism and democracy. It must continue to advance worker's rights and welfare as unions be created, expand, and strengthen amidst repression brought by the order. The need for emergency wage increase, subsidies for the unemployed, as well as an end to contractualisation and repression in the workplace. Furthermore, the workers should firmly link to the  democratic demands and struggles of the Filipino masses, and its calls be asserted further such as support the clamor of health workers for salary increases, hazard pay and greater subsidy for health services. They must also strengthen their support for peasants’ demand for genuine land reform, lowering rent, an end for exploitation, and for rural empowerment. At the same time, the calls from children, youth, and students for the safe reopening of schools, increased budget in education, and for increased support for teachers. The workers’ movement must also strongly oppose the government’s unending foreign-borrowing, and oppose the huge budget allocation for satiating the attack dogs of the order.

The order may continue to remain stubborn in its interest-centric venture, but as Filipinos, this commemoration of International Workers Day is more than just celebrating the labors and commemorating hardships, but rather, to push forward the national and democratic aspirations of the Filipino working folk, hand in hand with the other oppressed labourers and masses of the world, altogether fighting against the prevailing socioeconomic order and to forge a new society that's just and prosperous. 

On Duterte's reaction over the growing Community Pantry

On Duterte's reaction over the growing Community Pantry

by Kat Ulrike

As expected, the president’s statement on the growing Community Pantry movement reflects those of his followers and of the initial actions brought by the administration.

For in his recent fireside chat, president Duterte expressed his bullshitry towards the organisers of the pantry, describing them as “sonofabitches” that “they just want to show to the people that they really care, but they do not really care because of their ignorance.”

With his statement no wonder this reflects those of his followers who did judged the actions of the growing community pantry movement as a “protest against the government” if not a “superspreader” given the pandemic-driven situation. True that there may be lapses, and that health protocols should be observed; but on the other side would say that the statements shows how the order as eager to control movement and that includes surveil, if not harass the organisers.

But despite various attempts, community pantries continue serving the needy folk, upholding the need for solidarity no matter how the order and its apologists trying to create stumbling blocks to its success.

Ironically, Malacañang earlier described community pantries as a representation of “the best in the Filipino character.” 

Perhaps, as an observer, this movement has showed how the community, in being aware of its surroundings and the problems brought by the COVID19 pandemic, has no choice but to step up and do something even it requires going beyond the parameters the order enforced against them. It is not surprising tho that the president spoke that way as his supporters do, what more that this reflects how the order has treated that way against those whose concern can be a form of rebellion. 

And if being concerned to the folk, such as by providing need, is a form of rebellion, or even subversion against the order, then so be it. But still, the solidarity of the folk prevails over the wickedness, the self-centredness of the few whose egotism, envy, created such bullshitry such as this recent statement. 

They know what they're doing, and it is an act that's worth justifying than the order's bloodied exploits.

"Lapulapu's Victory: an inspiration for defending a nation's sovereignty"

"Lapulapu's Victory:
an inspiration for defending a nation's sovereignty"

At first, this note is in one with the Filipino folk in its militant remembrance of the battle of Mactan in its 500th year. 

Known for the death of Magellan by the hands of the chief Lapulapu and his valiant men. The triumph in the battle of Mactan is a testimony to the Filipino people's defence of sovereignty. With this example shows the spirit of national determination and resolve to protect both land and people, an inspiration even for those who fought for independence against the foreign coloniser. 

Five centuries after, the Filipino folk continues in its struggle to reclaim the freedom and determination that Lapulapu fought. It is not surprising especially that with the upsurge of patriotism, the folk has becoming assertive in defending national sovereignty and people's rights, welfare. Like Lapulapu, heroes like Jose Rizal, Mariano Ponce, Marcelo Del Pilar, Andres Bonifacio, and others looked back at the greatness of the past in pursuit of creating a future where the Filipino stands up for themselves as a nation.

The Battle of Mactan showeth a triumph of the folk against the invader. The enemy may had clad in steel but it failed to stop the valor of the folk whose hardened spears and kampilans that killed Magellan and his men. This enduring validation of this historic fact shows how the folk as willing to fight and die for their home and their family- that continues to resonate in every Filipino especially amidst the order's vassalage to both American and Chinese imperialism. For sure the order claims that Duterte inherited the legacy of Lapulapu as if he defends his country's independence. But the fact that Duterte first and foremost sworn to upheld the order that's inherited from Spaniard and American occupiers, it is way far from Lapulapu's firm disagreement to be vassal of Rajah Humabon, what more of the Spaniards who consider Rajah Humabon as their loyal ally. 

Thus, far from the statements the order would say about, that every Filipino should likewise find inspiration in Lapulapu, as any other hero, and his resistance to strengthen genuine national unity by denouncing the order's outright treachery, of its vassalage to American and Chinese interests, be it the unequal agreements to those of the dispute in the West Philippine Sea. The Filipino folk should realise that the order who afforded to claim Duterte as the "modern day Lapulapu" can't even stand up to, nor denounce China's military intrusion over the disputed sea, and the pillage of the country's economic resources.

As this note honors the valour brought by Lapulapu in the battle of Mactan, it is the duty of the Filipino folk to carry the aspirations of the nation and to push forward its goals of national independence and social justice. That neither from the west nor east, and its vassals, dictate the folk as in the past. 

Of Mutual Aid, Solidarity, fostering hope in a struggling community

Of Mutual Aid, Solidarity,

fostering hope in a struggling community

Over recent days, community pantries have appear all in response to the crisis caused by the pandemic and the inactions under the Duterte administration. 

Started in Maginhawa in Quezon City and now in various places in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, these pantries, as any mutual help initiatives, foster a sense of social solidarity along with a strong rebuke, indictment on the gross failures brought by the order in providing the needs of the folk especially amidst COVID19 pandemic and the ever-worsening economic conditions. It is also a welcoming relief, as true to the dictum "give while you can, take what you need", that folks able to donate stuff so others able to get their basic needs of their families amidst rising prices, and failure to provide support especially to those undemployed due to the pandemic. 

However, according to the initiator of the community pantry, said that these are only a "temporary solution" and at the same time expressed concern over the order's inaction in ensuring the welfare of the folk, if not the militarist response to the pandemic that caused surveillance, if not harassment over the pantries. A year ago, demands for support been raised by concerned individuals and groups as the government's half-hearted response to the pandemic has raised anxiety. The "community quarantine" for instance has resulted to retrenchment of workers if not unemployment, of failure to procure vaccines despite "promises to return to normal in December" by Duterte last 2020. And now as these concerned folks rather take the solution in their hands such as these community pantries and various forms of mutual aid, this move isn't simply an act of kindness but an immediate popular solution to a half-hearted government action.

And because of these factors, it is not surprising that kind of concern, for despite popular appraisal, harassments occur especially to those "critics" who downplayed efforts as a "propaganda", of red-tagging organisers, even urging authorities to "regulate" these pantries in pursuit of "keeping it apolitical" if not monitoring against potential political dissent from the organisers. However, for the fact that being concerned over the present situations and making actions is political in itself, then expect mutual aid, like these pantries, soup kitchens, and the likes rather a novel form of people power the order feared about. From this no wonder The military and the police saw this and their knee-jerk reaction was to intimidate and red-tag the organizers of the community pantries. That the innocent guideline of “Give what you can, take what you need” alarms them as an echo of the Karl Marx dictum “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” If not mistaken, even the Bible, through the "Acts of the Apostles", that the lifestyle of the community of believers in Jerusalem is described as communal (without individual possession), and uses the phrase "distribution was made unto every man according as he had need" (διεδίδετο δὲ ἑκάστῳ καθότι ἄν τις χρείαν εἶχεν). For sure the authorities have forgotten that "the welfare of the people is the highest form of the law", have they really forgot it in favour of self interest?

No matter the order and its apologists trying to downplay the efforts of those taking part in setting-up community pantries in every street or village, the fact that these folks are serious in its concern, that they have enough of the regime's rosy statements and mediocre performance. In fact, the wildfire continues to spread that even those from the government, including the police, trying to set-up their own "pantries" in an attempt to counter popular criticism over the half-hearted actions laid by the administration.
Sadly, the latter's actions are marred by politicians and bureaucrats who treated such altruistic actions for obvious political patronage- that is not surprising given the state of Philippine politics in its naked form: feudal, if not despotic that's trying to be benevolent paternalist. 

But regardless of those moves, the community pantry movement, true to its sense of solidarity, has brought hope as its organisers, with their initiatives, provide immediate assistance amidst the crisis that affects not just lives but also their sustenance. This sense of unity would say overshadows the issues that served as stumbling blocks to the success of the movement. For sure people will still downplay the politically driven facts behind the movement in favour of just "feel good" kindness, that this "bayanihan", "ujamaa", or "communityhood" shows everyone helping each other out, but, the fact that there are no other options aside from the half-hearted initiatives from the government, it is not surprising that the folk chose to stand up for themselves, having enough of the pandemic-driven hunger that has pushed themselves against the wall and disregard the threats that surroundeth them.

 

When kindness, helping those in need, solidarity, can also be an act of subversion against the order

When kindness, helping those in need, solidarity,
can also be an act of subversion against the order

by Kat Ulrike

Amidst heckles and skepticism, that the recent initiatives from a concerned few has brought hope for many such as a food pantry.

Started in Maginhawa St. in Teacher's Village, Quezon City, the Maginhawa Community Food Pantry is more than just a bamboo cart containing a variety of food choices, but a form of solidarity coming from a concerned few in a time of sweeping pandemic when many Filipinos have less or no means to feed themselves and their families. 

To some would say quite new, especially that few days after its start in Teachers Village, the community food pantry has been replicated in various villages, barangays, all as far from Cavite to Nueva Viscaya. And concerned folks such as farmers, fishermen, are willing to give a share of their crop be it sweet potato, vegetables, fish, all for the needy Metro Manilenos and others affected by the COVID19 pandemic. "Give whatever you can, take only what you need" is it's tenet, or to use Marx's: "From each according to contribution, to each according to need."
Quite interesting tho at first, especially that when folks from various walks of life has afforded to take time in donating food and taking other for free all in the spirit of communitarianism. It is a novel form of "people power" that everyone gave time, effort, and at the same time obtain their much needed good such as food and other necessities enough to satisfy their hunger "even for a day." 

However, despite popular appraisal and support for the said initiative, attempts to "put out this fire of solidarity" are being raised by its critics. Mostly supporters of the Duterte administration, they find the community pantries as an attempt to "undermine government's efforts" in mitigating the pandemic-caused crisis. Comments like "the community pantry is a superspreader", of "failure to ask permission from the authorities" (even it doesn't need to), to those of outright red tagging organisers simply because of using Marx's quote (when in fact also comes from the bible) are shown in social media sites; if not calling the attention of authorities to outright regulate these pantries "in order to remain nonpartisan/apolitical" if not closing it "as a matter of peace and order." The police and the military even saw this and their knee-jerk reaction was to intimidate and red-tag the organizers of the community pantries. Ironically, from these critics are also once-supporters "at first impression" yet failed to see these pantries as an act of solidarity to the affected mass, preferring to be seen as an appeal to pity kind of charity. 
On the other hand, that those who called for mass testing, subsidies for the unemployed and the needy, and adequate support for the frontliners in the medical field are the same calls of those who initiate the community pantry, hence, not surprising to see that act as "political" and not some sentiment, for the organisers themselves saw the inept, malicious, and outright deplorable governance under the Duterte administration, no matter how his supporters trying to defend and insist how their idol president as "trying to do his best" despite the fact that most of his statements are in fact, ruses. 

At present, community food pantries inspired by the Maginhawa experience continues to proliferate as various individuals, groups, as expressing concern to mitigate the crisis. And to think that "they're all in this together" in making such initiatives, this communitarian effort shouldn't be treated as "out of pity", or dismissed as "charity". The pantries is a result of popular concern, a need for action in response to the inconveniences brought by the order. For the fact that the people had enough of waiting for the subsidies, those who are truly concerned are the ones who rather took the initiative to help those who are in need. Furthermore, it is not surprising that there are those who able to harass them all in the name of defending the status quo. That other than dismissing their politics, of trying to depoliticise an obvious political act, there are those who rather outright making hell against those who organise these acts of solidarity. Why? Is making solidarity, mutual assistance, communitarian effort an act of sedition simply because of voicing out a really serious concern? Of what is democracy that the order being bragged upon? 

Perhaps, if being one with the people especially in this time of pandemic is itself an act of sedition, then everyone is guilty as charged. To call it political may be ridiculous as most think of, but trying to depoliticise it didn't realise that life itself is political, that being part of society is itself political. To help is not about in search of a good vibe, to help, to solidarise, to struggle is to be human.