SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – Independence Day has long been an annual ritual for reflecting on freedom.
But this year, recent threats to democracy, press freedom, and sovereign rights beg the question: Are we – as individuals, as a people, and as a nation – truly free?
Many netizens seemed to shake their heads at the thought.
For Edwin Subijano, the magnitude of the injustice Filipinos have witnessed in recent times says a lot about the state of freedom – or lack thereof – in the country.
Meanwhile on Twitter, user @SyLicoNgaAko raised rhetorical questions on freedom and its many manifestations, implying that the Philippines is far from being “truly free.”
Malaya na ba sa korapsyon?
Malaya na ba sa mga opisyal na mandarambong?
Malaya na bang tunay ang pamamahayag ng walang kaakibat nag panggigipit?
Malaya na ba tayo sa impluwensya ng Tsina?
‘Province of China’
Many saw Independence Day as the most appropriate time to talk about the Philippines being tagged a “province of China,” a reference to tarpaulins with this message seen hanging from various Metro Manila footbridges in 2018. (READ: Roque says ‘province of China’ tarp the work of government ‘enemies’)
In a more recent incident, a number of vendors were caught selling Chinese flags at Rizal Park just days before Independence Day, which the National Parks Development Committee said was a “setup.”
It has practically sold it to the Chinese. It is next to impossible to recover especially our territories in the WPS. Chinese workers are also flocking in our country taking away jobs that are meant to our citizens. It should revisit its foreign policy towards China.
Twitter user @ronaldgem explained that “imperialists” still have a hold over the government to this day, deeming Philippine freedom all the more questionable.
No. As long as our economic and political policies are controlled by imperialists, particularly US and China, and the government doesn’t comply with the arbitral ruling in protecting our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, the gov’t is not doing enough. #IndependenceDay
— Roentgen (@ronaldgem) June 11, 2019
Democratic freedom – or the lack thereof
While some raised the issue of foreign control, others tackled freedom in the context of free speech and democracy. Many highlighted the government’s intolerance for criticism and the rampant silencing of dissent.
Some also pointed out how the Duterte administration seems more and more authoritarian.
For the privileged
Some, on the other hand, tackled freedom from a different perspective. While extrajudicial killings are prevalent in the slums, big-time drug lords remain at large. Politicians accused of stealing taxpayers’ money get reelected. (READ: Ghosts of an anomalous past: Cases, controversies hounding new senators)
Freedom, it seems to them, chooses only the privileged.
Here are more netizens’ takes on Philippine freedom:
Shameful dishonor, tomorrow’s Dependence DoomsDay with a defacto invasion of sovereign territories, abrogation of sub-surface, surface and air rights, other assets, natural and human resources, lost opportunities. #DrasticCallsToAct
Not until we recognize our Independence from Imperial United States, tbh. Otherwise, it’s just a farce no different from how our fathers were made to believe the fake war the US won to get the islands.
They use "sovereignty" every time another country or organisation criticises them for their violent behaviour against their own people..you can have sovereignty..doesnt mean you can commit genocide and outright plunder of your own country..
YES. I THINK, masyado lang ineexaggerate ng mga tao yung pakikisalamuha ni Duterte sa China. Hindi lang ang presidente ang may tungkulin na protektahan ang soberanya, nadyan ang karamihang tapat na mga tao nb AFP, PNP, at mga kawani ng gobyerno.
(@olapskiboodles) June 11, 2019
They are doing enough in defending China’s sovereignty.
This Independence Day, would you say that the Philippines is free? – Rappler.com
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