Filipino Artists Respond to ABS-CBN Shutdown and Anti-Terrorism Bill During Pandemic

On May 5, the National Telecommunications Commission of the Philippines ordered ABS-CBN to cease broadcasting, eliminating a vital source of information amid the COVID-19 crisis. Filipino artists have accused the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte of engaging in censorship. Leonilo 'Neil' Doloricon, the chairman of Concerned Artists of the Philippines, expressed that this action endangers press freedom. Doloricon has shared new prints like 'Pila' on Facebook. The Green Papaya Art Projects, based in Manila, produced 20 posters related to the pandemic, one of which reads, 'SHUTTING DOWN A MAJOR BROADCASTING NETWORK DURING A PANDEMIC IS MADNESS.' Additionally, the collective's venue suffered fire damage on June 3. The government is pushing an anti-terrorism bill reminiscent of martial law from the Marcos era, with over 30,000 people arrested for lockdown infractions.