All Filipinos, celebrities and everyday folks alike, have the right to express their beliefs and convictions and to participate in activities in line with these beliefs. The Constitution guarantees our freedom of thought, expression, and participation. As a democratic society, everyone has the freedom to advocate and support a cause, free from any intimidation or harassment.
CHR is deeply concerned with the warning made by Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. against female celebrities Liza Soberano and Catriona Gray following their vocal support for women’s rights and the participation of the former in an online forum to speak up for victims of gender-based violence and abuse. Such remarks are tantamount to harassment and red-tagging. Coming from a high-ranking military official, such statement is a form of suppression and restriction that serves to dissuade those who speak up for their beliefs and advocacies.
The female celebrities aim to advocate for the rights of women, especially victims of abuse—a vulnerable sector that the government is duty-bound to protect. Instead of attacking those who seek to empower the voiceless, we are reminding government officials especially the security sector tasked to serve and protect the people to focus on promoting the rights and freedoms enjoyed by the people instead of perpetuating fear and instigating distrust among the populace against those who speak truth to power in defense of the weak and the voiceless.