Philippines had one of the highest recorded numbers of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Southeast Asia, with 400,000 cases as of mid-November. The Duterte administration’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been led by former military officers, using police supported by the military, which has resulted in the deterioration of human rights.
The government’s response to Covid-19 was characterized by abusive enforcement, and major violations of human rights and media freedom. By most accounts, corruption has worsened under Duterte and, by his own admission, the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown to stem its spread have become profitable sources of graft.
The government has imposed varying types of quarantines and lockdowns to contain the spread of the virus. Abuses reported include local officials putting curfew violators in dog cages or exposing them to hours sitting in the summer sun as a form of punishment. At a certain time, two children who were arrested after curfew were put inside a coffin by local officials. Three LGBT people were accosted by authorities for violating curfew. Officials humiliated them by forcing them to dance and kiss each other in public. Many people arrested for violating Covid-19 regulations were thrown into overcrowded detention facilities where social distancing is impossible, increasing their risk of contracting the virus. President Duterte signed on March 24 criminalizes the spreading of “false information” with up to two months in prison and a 1 million peso (US$19,600) fine. This law has been used to censor free speech in cases filed against social media users, among them journalists, who criticized or even poked fun at the government’s response. Reports of domestic violence have risen during lockdown restrictions. Groups such as UNICEF and Save the Children have raised alarm about the impact the pandemic and lockdown have on the welfare of children, particularly concerning child sexual and physical abuse. Per Human Rights Watch.
Philippines is in desperate need for help and support from the government, and the situation now has opened the eyes of so many. The problems that have come about for the past years, can hopefully give sense to Filipinos and help to realize how important their choices are for the upcoming elections. Be Bright, Vote Right!
