Filipino band Ben&Ben released late Tuesday, December 22, a new song that demands accountability and laments the abuses and proliferation of lies by those in power.
“Kapangyarihan. This song is yours now,” said the group in a post on its official social media accounts. The song features twin brothers Benjamin and Miguel playing the acoustic guitar and keyboards.
The song, of course, was written in response to the latest case of impunity caught on camera in the Philippines – the killing of Sonya Gregorio, 52, and her son Frank, 25, by Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonel Nuezca. The band included the hashtags #StopTheKillingsPH, #JusticeForGregorioFamily, and #EndPoliceBrutalityNow in their post.
In a separate post, the band apologized for being off the radar the past few days. The Gregorios were shot and killed by Nuezca on Sunday, December 20.
“As much as when we call to you each time we promote a new song, or a new campaign, we should have responded to this issue with even greater urgency but we didn’t, and we’ve failed to amplify the truth. There is no excuse for that,” the 9-member band said.
“The band chooses to stand up for the truth, not because of any pressure to speak up, nor the looming possibility of hate comments from any party. The band chooses to speak up, because of the many lessons we’ve learned this year, and because there is a great absence and denial of truth in our society,” they added.
“The merciless killing of Sonya and Frank Gregorio by Jonel Nuezca is not an isolated case. It is one of the many documented and undocumented abuses committed by the very people who have sworn to protect our lives and uphold our rights,” the group, composed of Miguel, Paolo, Andrew, Poch, Jam, Pat, Agnes, Keifer, and Toni said.
“The problem with justice not being served for the victims’ families is that it continues to perpetuate the culture that it’s okay for police to keep killing and keep breaking the laws without fear, simply because they are police protected by a higher power,” the band added, saying that theirs wasn’t a call to vilify all but to call on the return of “justice and due process.”
“As private citizens, we have stood against this culture of impunity and abuse of power, long before the occurrence of all the numerous issues this year. We are simply artists, but we’d like to use our platform to encourage you. If you have the ability to make something happen that is more concrete and action or policy-driven, please do so. Now is the time.”
Ben&Ben closed their statement with an invitation. “Hindi man lahat ay sabay-sabay na namumulat, hindi pa huli ang lahat para tayo ay magkaisa para sa katotohanan, tunay na pagbabago, at kapayapaan,” they said.
(Not everyone may have been enlightened at the same time, it’s never too late to come together for truth, genuine change, and peace.)
Ben&Ben is among the biggest acts in Philippine music today. In 2019, they released their first album, Limasawa Street, and have remained busy since.
In 2020, they produced more of their own videos, including a live performance shot from the house they’ve been sharing while under lockdown. The band has also been raising funds for those who are adjusting and struggling with distance learning during the pandemic, even as they’ve cinched one commercial deal after another.
Here’s the full lyrics to their new song, as posted by the band:
“Kapangyarihan” by Ben&Ben
kapangyarihan. this song is yours now
akala niyo ba, ang kapangyarihan
ay nasa inyo? sino ba kayo?
di naman kami nagkulang
sa aming pag-uunawa
di ka namin isusuka
kung hindi ka pa sukdulan
huwag niyong tapakan
ang katarungan
akala niyo ba, ang kapangyarihan
ay nasa inyo? sino ba kayo?
magwawagi ang katotohanan
ang kadiliman, ay ibabagsak
nagsisilbi ka dapat
nagsisilbi ka dapat
ibon na may layang lumipad
di mo na makukulong
akala niyo ba, ang kapangyarihan
ay nasa inyo? sino ba kayo?
magwawagi, ang katotohanan
ang kadiliman ay ibabagsak
nagsisilbi ka dapat
nagsisilbi ka dapat
katotohanan, ang dapat mamuno
sa namumuno sa mamamayan
makatarungan ang dapat mamuno
sa namumuno sa mamamayan
nagsisilbi ka dapat
nagsisilbi ka dapat
– Rappler.com
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