GEWORLD Flipbook - Team Paella

COLLECTIVE
POWER

A FLIPBOOK

The impact PHILIPPINES
of social
movements The Future of Democracy
among
Southeast MYANMAR
Asian nations
The Land wDeitmhoFcraragciley
The RisinCgOPVrToIDHt-e1sA9tsIPLaamnAdideNmthDiec

VIETNAM

The 2018 NaPtiroontwesidtes

ISSUE 1 | SEPTEMBER 2021 | TEAM PAELLA



The Contemporary World (GEWORLD)
Section Y03
Term 3, A.Y. 2020-2021

Contributors:
Autor, Christine M.
Mateo, Christian Philip A.
Ojera, Moses Isaiah P.
Sison, Jenelle Veronica M.

Copyright © 2021

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and
retrieval system, without the written permission of the
copyright owners.



CTOANBTLEENOTFS

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND SOCIAL
MOVEMENTS...............................................................1

PHILIPPINES: THE FUTURE OF
DEMOCRACY......................................................3
MYANMAR: THE LAND WITH
FRAGILE DEMOCRACY............................13
THAILAND: THE RISING
PROTESTS AMID THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC..........................................................19
VIETNAM: THE 2018 NATIONWIDE
PROTESTS...........................................................25
REFERENCES.............................................................31

SSOOUCTIHAELAMSTOVAESMIAENATNSD

The Southeast Asian (SEA) region consists of
Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

While these 11 sovereign states have their
own distinct identities, some uphold and
practice the same values, cultures, religion,
and societal norms because of various
influences, and this form of international
relations is encouraged and further
strengthened by the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with their
goal of achieving economic, social, and
cultural development within the region.

1

Because the study of Southeast Asia begets
an overwhelming amount of issues and
problems to discuss, this flipbook then
focuses on social movements in selected
Southeast Asian nations. Specifically, it
presents [1] the protest itself, [2] what led to
such a protest, [3] what the response of the
stakeholders were, and [4] the outcome.

Team Paella hopes that these specific
instances, among a multitude of
movements, will encourage you to take part
in social action that is rooted in achieving
justice and having passion for fighting for
your rights and those of others when the
need arises.

The group hopes that you
also believe in collective
power, because in today’s
political climate, there is no
excuse to simply turn a
blind eye.

2

no. 1  | September 2021

PHILIPPINES

THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY

The Rebirth of Democracy // Rising Crimes against Humanity // Rising Tyranny of the Duterte
Administration // The Anti-Terrorism Bill // SONA Protests // Duterte 2022?

3

no. 1  | September 2021

The Rebirth “The Filipino is worth dying for.” This
of Democracy is a memorable quote of former
senator and Marcos administration
critic, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino.
Aquino’s death paved the way for the
largest protest in Philippine history.
The EDSA Revolution was composed
of Roman Catholic members, upper,
lower, rural, working-class Filipinos,
and even armed forces (U.S. Library of
Congress, n.d.) This revolution placed
Ninoy Aquino’s wife, Corazon Aquino,
to become the country’s next
president, marking the new
democratic Philippines.

4

no. 1  | September 2021

Through this powerful protest, democracy was born and
this has enabled Filipinos to exercise their right to
freedom of speech. However, during the time of the
Duterte Administration, it seems that the voice of the
people is silenced and not heard.

5

no. 1  | September 2021

The Rising Crimes against
Humanity

In 2016, Rodrigo Duterte was elected president of the Republic
of the Philippines. Duterte’s promise during his campaign was
to eradicate illegal drugs and criminality in a span of months,
increase salaries of the police and military, end corruption, and
end insurgency (Terada, 2021). However, during his
administration, crimes against humanity has increased.

6

no. 1  | September 2021

Among the victims of extrajudicial killings is Kian Delos Santos, a
17-year-old boy who was chased down by the police in Caloocan
City. His body was found with a gunshot wound on the head
along with a pistol and a bag of shabu (an illegal drug). Police
justified their killing by stating that it was a form of self-defense.
However, evidence of CCTV footage proved otherwise (Williams,
2018) Footage showed that Delos Santos was abused and
dragged to death by the police. The government stated that this
was an isolated case despite numerous EJK victims calling for
justice while the police reject allegations.

7

no. 1  | September 2021

Having said this, according to Nicholas Bequelin, Amnesty
International's Regional Director for East and Southeast Asia,
“President Duterte’s ‘war on drugs’ continues to be nothing but a
large-scale murdering enterprise for which the poor continue to
pay the highest price” (Amnesty International, 2019). This has led
Amnesty International to call for the UN Human Rights council to
conduct an investigation on human rights violations on Duterte’s
“war on drugs”.

8

no. 1  | September 2021

Rising Tyranny

Vice President Leni Robredo expressed that Filipinos should
recognize the rising tyranny of the President (Mogato & Ng, 2017).
It is important to remember that during the Marcos regime, human
rights violations were also rampant as well as the silencing of
critics. This is why, Duterte critics were alarmed when he expressed
his admiration for the late dictator (Mogato & Ng, 2017).

9

no. 1  | September 2021

The Anti Terrorism Bill

Despite the “democratic” state of the country, President Duterte and his
allies signed the Anti-Terrorism bill which critics believe was vaguely
written as it would allow the unjust arrest of people (Guttierez & Paddock,
2020). Any person can be labeled as a “terrorist”. This lead to the head of
the National Union of People’s Lawyers Edre Olalia believing that this bill
would diminish the basic freedom restored in the People Power Revolution
of 1986 (Guttierez & Paddock, 2020).

10

no. 1  | September 2021

SONA Protests

Protests during the Duterte
Administration increased in
number, especially during
the COVID-19 pandemic.
With a continuing spike of
COVID-19 cases and deaths,
the Filipinos have been
calling for an effective
pandemic response.

PThe anti-terrorism law

which enables human rights

abuses, including

extrajudicial killings from

authorities, was also

condemned by protestors.

People have also called to

defend press freedom after

leading media network,

ABS-CBN, was shut down

for non-renewal of the

franchise. All of these were

done despite the

government’s call to ban

SONA protests due to

COVID-19 protocols (Santos,

2020).

11

no. 1  | September 2021

Duterte 2022?

In 2021, President Duterte announced that he would be running for Vice
President in the upcoming 2022 elections to gain immunity from criminal
charges (Santos, 2021). This announcement was made after the
International Criminal Court (ICC) announced its plan on conducting a full
investigation on Duterte’s war on drugs which Duterte abruptly said he
would not cooperate to (Santos, 2021) It is without a doubt that President
Duterte exposed the fragility of the Philippines’ democratic institutions.
Despite having numerous issues and critics, Duterte remains to have
numerous allies and supporters. With that being said, the question remains...

What is the future of
democracy in the Philippines?

12

no. 2  | September 2021

MYANMAR

THE LAND WITH FRAGILE DEMOCRACY

Military back in charge // Looking back in history // Saffron Revolution //
State of Emergency // Power in Solidarity

13

no. 2  | September 2021

The military is now
back in charge.

On February 1, Myanmar’s military launched a coup d'état and
seized control of the government, less than a decade after the
nation began its transition to democracy.

Myanmar’s elected leader Aung San The military, known as the
Suu Kyi was arrested, and other Tatmadaw, took over after it rejected
senior figures in the ruling National the results of the 2020 election,
League for Democracy (NLD) were claiming it was fraudulent.
detained. Now, thousands of International observers say there was
protesters took to the streets in no evidence of fraud (Petras, Loehrke
Myanmar’s major cities for anti-coup and Sullivan, 2021).
demonstrations.

14

no. 2  | September 2021

Looking back
in history

Myanmar has been ruled by the military for many years since it
gained independence from British colonial rule in 1948. The
Union of Burma began as a parliamentary democracy, but
representative democracy only lasted until 1962, when
General U Ne Win led a military coup and held power for the
next twenty-six years (Maizland, 2021).

By 1988, widespread corruption, rapid shifts in economic
policy related to Myanmar’s currency, and food shortages led
to massive student-led protests. In August 1988, the army
cracked down on protesters, killing at least three thousand
and displacing thousands more (Human Rights Watch, 2013).
After the 1988 crackdown, Ne Win resigned as chairman of his
party, although he remained active behind the scenes as
another military junta took power.

15

no. 2  | September 2021 The Saffron

Revolution

In 2007, the Saffron Revolution is
a widespread anti-government
protest that was sparked by fuel
price hikes and named after the
saffron-colored robes worn by
participating Buddhist monks.

Protests spread across Myanmar,
eventually drawing tens of
thousands into the streets in
Myanmar’s commercial center,
Yangon. The violent military
crackdown that followed left at
least 13 dead and hundreds
injured and arrested.

The Saffron Revolution was an
important stepping stone in
Myanmar’s fight towards
democratic rule.

In 2015, democracy icon Aung
San Suu Kyi’s National League
for Democracy won general
elections, becoming Myanmar’s
first non-military government in
54 years (Radio Free Asia, 2017).

16

no. 2  | September 2021

2021: State of Emergency

Since the military takeover, millions of people from Myanmar
have taken to the streets and peacefully protested for a return to
a democratically elected civilian government (Human Rights
Watch, 2021).
As part of a widespread and systematic attack on the population,
security forces have repeatedly fired on and otherwise used
excessive force to disperse and harm protesters.

17

no. 2  | September 2021

Power in Solidarity

Demonstrators are using the three-finger hand salute from "The
Hunger Games" film series as a symbol of defiance (Bostock,
2021).
Until now, the people of Myanmar are still fighting for democracy.
The end game for the country is too early to tell, however, history
has taught every protesters not to count out the power and
determination of the people.

18

no. 3  | September 2021

THAILAND

The Rising Protests in the Country amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background // Issue // Protesters and Police Riot // Demands of the Protesters // Protests and Clarity

19

no. 3  | September 2021

What's Since August 2021, thousands of Thai
happening in protesters, including the youth, have
expressed their outrage to the streets in
Thailand? Thailand. Some of them even went to groups
to combat the policemen and damage their
small stations (Kurlantzick, 2021). The
protesters have been demanding Prime
Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha to step down
because of his inept response to the COVID-
19 pandemic, such as the laggard vaccine
rollout in the country. As of this writing,
Thailand has already recorded 1.2 million
cases of COVID-19, and 12, 103 deaths since
last year (Al Jazeera, 2021).

20

no. 3  | September 2021

Thailand only relied on
ONE vaccine brand,
AstraZeneca.

"Betting on a one-horse
strategy."

After the Second Wave: In January 2021, the
government announced that they ordered more than
35 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. However,
there was no difference in the amount and the
timeline. Because of this, the government has been
receiving massive backlash from its citizens for its
sluggish vaccine rollout. But the government still
insisted that their plan was sufficient (Puttasri, 2021).

Change of Plans

Third Wave: In March 2021, the COVID-19
situation in Thailand has worsened. From
relying on one vaccine brand, the government
changed its schemes and sought other
vaccine suppliers. The Chinese vaccine brand
Sinovac is the only vaccine that is readily
available. Access to more efficient vaccine
brands was already hard and almost
impossible to obtain (Puttasri, 2021).

21

no. 3  | September 2021

The anti-government protests have become desperate, so the security
crackdowns have also become more aggressive, which led to brutality.
(Duangdee, 2021).

22

no. 3  | September 2021

COMBATING THE COVID-
19 CRISIS SHOULD BE
THE PRIORITY.

Displace the money from its
defense budget to order more
effective vaccines replacing
the Sinovac vaccine
(Duangdee, 2021).

WHAT DO THE page *
PROTESTERS
WANT?

The government should
work FOR the people.

“Many of them suffer greatly from the
pandemic with the mismanagement of
resources, health care, and vaccine
accessibility,” he said, urging the Thai
government to “please wake up, and
work for your people — now”
(Duangdee, 2021).

23

no. 3  | September 2021

Protests and Protests help people become aware and have a
Clarity critical perspective to fight for what is right. It also
serves as an eye-opener to better understand the
truth and resist the injustices in society. Here are
some of the powerful statements from Thai
protesters:

"It’s been exhausting fighting with the government this
past year... but it’s worth it, because people are starting
to wake up now.” (Duangdee, 2021)

“I might be blinded, but now I’m stronger than ever; I
see things clearer than ever.” (Bangkok Post, 2021)

24

no. 4 | September 2021

VIETNAM

THE 2018 NATIONAL PROTESTS

2018 Vietnam Protests // Special Zone Act and Cybersecurity Law //
Government and Societal Response // Results of the Protests

25

no. 4 | September 2021

2018 VIETNAM PROTESTS

Back in June 2018, protests Meanwhile, the

ensued to show resistance Cybersecurity Law

against the Special Zone Act

and the Cybersecurity Law grants governing

because of harmful provisions bodies to watch the

in both drafts that could take internet activity of

away the freedom of Vietnamese locals,

Vietnamese locals.

censor free expression,

The Special Zone Act is a and collect information
National Assembly bill that
allows foreign investors to of those expressing
occupy Van Don, North Van
Phong and Phu Quoc for up dissent (Ritter, 2018;
to 99 years (Ritter, 2018.
Human Rights Watch,

2018).

26

no. 4 | September 2021

Because the Special Zone Act allows

SPECIAL ZONE investors from any country, the
ACT
Vietnamese locals were worried about

Chinese investors who could potentially

lease their lands and turn it into their own

territories.

CYBERSECURITY They also raised concerns
LAW
regarding the Cybersecurity Law
27
because it takes away their right

to freedom of speech.

no. 4 | September 2021

GOVERNMENT
RESPONSE

Despite the assertions that the Special
Zone Act is beneficial for Vietnam as it
opens up opportunities for economic
development, the Vietnamese government
was overwhelmed by the number of people
who were against the Special Zone Act,
hence, they decided to postpone its voting
indefinitely (Fawthrop, 2019).

28

no. 4 | September 2021

RSEOSCPIOETNASLE

Meanwhile, Vietnamese locals During the onset of the
held violent and non-violent protest, it was reported
protests against the two that around 200 protesters
drafted legislative pieces. The were beaten, arrested, and
most violent protest occurred questioned in Ho Chi Minh
in Binh Thuan, where city alone (Ritter, 2018).
protesters threw bricks and Aside from this, priests
Molotov cocktails that injured from the Ha Tinh province
policemen and destroyed held special mass Sundays
vehicles and public property. to pray for justice and
In return, the police threw peace in Vietnam (Ritter,
smoke bombs and tear gas 2018).
(Human Rights Watch, 2018).

29

no. 4 | September 2021

results of
the protests

The results of the nationwide protests were both
positive and negative for the people of Vietnam.

POSITIVE

Fortunately, there are no recent developments
regarding the voting of the Special Zone Act because
of people who protested against it 3 years ago.

NEGATIVE

However, despite the overwhelming number of
protesters who were against the Cybersecurity Law, the
National Assembly still passed the law on June 12, 2018
and it has been in effect since January 1, 2019 (Human
Rights Watch, 2018). Additionally, aside from cases of
assault experienced by some protesters, 135 political
protesters are still currently serving sentences for simply
exercising their right to freedom of assembly (Human
Rights Watch, 2018).

30

References: Philippines

Amnesty International (2019, July 8). Philippines: UN investigation urgently needed into Duterte administration’s
murderous “war on drugs”. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-
release/2019/07/philippines-un-investigation-urgently-needed-duterte-war-drugs/

Guttierez, J. and Paddock, R. (2020, June 4). Philippine Dissenters May Face Terrorist Designation. Retrieved
from h​ ttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/world/asia/duterte-philippines-terrorism-drug.html

Mogato, M. and Ng, Roli (2017, September 21). Thousands rally in Philippines, warn of Duterte 'dictatorship'.
Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-protest-idUSKCN1BW0YA

Rappler (2020, July 28). IN PHOTOS: SONA 2020 protests around the Philippines. Retrieved from
https://www.rappler.com/moveph/sona-2020-protests-philippines-photos

Santos, A.P. (2021, June 07). What is the future of democracy in the Philippines? Retrieved from
https://www.dw.com/en/philippines-democracy-rodrigo-duterte/a-58177003

Terida, T. (2021, July 22). Five vows, five years later: A lookback into Duterte’s major campaign promises.
Retrieved from https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/7/22/SONA-2021-Duterte-presidential-
campaign-promises.html

U.S. Library of Congress (n.d.). From Aquino's Assassination to People's Power. Retrieved from
http://countrystudies.us/philippines/29.htm

Williams, S. (2018, January 25). How the Catholic Church is fighting the drug war in the
Philippines. Retrieved from https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/01/25/how-catholic-
church-fighting-drug-war-philippines

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References: Myanmar

AlJazeera (2021). Myanmar: Timeline of a fragile democracy.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/1/myanmar-military-rule-to-fragile-democracy

Bostock, B. (2021). Protesters in Myanmar are using the three-finger salute from 'The Hunger Games' to oppose
the military coup. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/myanmar-protesters-adopt-three-
finger-salute-the-hunger-games-coup-2021-2

Human Rights Watch (2013). Burma: Justice for 1988 Massacres.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2013/08/06/burma-justice-1988-massacres

Human Rights Watch (2021). Myanmar: Coup Leads to Crimes Against Humanity.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/07/31/myanmar-coup-leads-crimes-against-humanity

Maizland, L. (2021). Myanmar’s Troubled History: Coups, Military Rule, and Ethnic Conflict. Council on Foreign
Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/myanmar-history-coup-military-rule-ethnic-conflict-rohingya

Min Thant, A & Aung Y. (2021). How the CDM can win. Frontier Myanmar.
https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/how-the-cdm-can-win/

Petras, G., Loehrke, J., & Sullivan, S. (2021). What's happening in Myanmar? Military coup and protests
explained visually. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/graphics/2021/03/20/myanmar-
military-coup-protests-violence-deaths-burma-videos/6868486002/

Radio Free Asia (2017). Myanmars Saffron Revolution: 10 Years Later.
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/special/saffron/

32

References: Thailand

Duangdee, V. (July 20, 2021). Thai Government's Bungled Vaccine Rollout Unites Historically Divided Public in
Anger. East Asia Pacific. https://www.voanews.com/a/east-asia-pacific_thai-governments-bungled-
vaccine-rollout-unites-historically-divided-public-anger/6208485.html

Kurlantzick, J. (September 2, 2021). Thailand’s Protests Are a Sign of Popular Anger and Desperation. World
Politics Review. https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/29933/thailand-s-protests-are-a-sign-
of-popular-anger-and-desperation

Protesters are back, and angrier, as govt fumbles on Covid. (September 6, 2021). Bangkok Post.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2177227/protesters-are-back-and-angrier-as-govt-
fumbles-on-covid

Puttsari, S. (August 29, 2021). The failure of vaccine policy pushed Thailand from the best recovering country
to the worst. Observer Research Foundation. https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/failure-of-
vaccine-policy-pushed-thailand/

Thailand: Thousands join Bangkok rally demanding PM’s resignation. (September 2, 2021). Aljazeera.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/2/thousands-join-protest-in-bangkok-demanding-pms-
resignation

33

References: Vietnam

Elmer, K. (2018). ‘Don’t give our land away’: The clash of interests in Vietnam’s anti-China protests. South
China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2152150/dont-
give-our-land-away-clash-interests-vietnams-anti

Fawthrop, T. (2019). Public criticism pressures Vietnam to back down on new economic zones. China
Dialogue. https://chinadialogue.net/en/business/11154-public-criticism-pressures-vietnam-to-back-
down-on-new-economic-zones/

Human Rights Watch (2018). Vietnam: Investigate police response to mass protests.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/06/15/vietnam-investigate-police-response-mass-protests

Human Rights Watch (2018). Vietnam: Withdraw problematic Cyber Security Law.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/06/07/vietnam-withdraw-problematic-cyber-security-law

Reed, J. (2018). Vietnam cyber security law to restrict Facebook and Google. Financial Times.
https://www.ft.com/content/28edfa20-6e26-11e8-92d3-6c13e5c92914

Ritter, M. (2018). Protests spread in Vietnam over proposed new laws. Learning English.
https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/spread-of-protests-shows-anger-in-vietnam/4447439.html

Tu Uyen, N.D. & Boudreau, J. (2018). Vietnam Parliament passes cyber law denounced in street protests.
Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-12/vietnam-parliament-passes-cyber-
law-denounced-in-street-protests

Vietnam's Persecution against Protesters during June 2018 Mass Demonstrations (2018).
https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CAT/Shared%20Documents/VNM/INT_CAT_CSS_VNM_32821_
E.pdf

34