Malaya Movement

Southern California chapter

We are Filipino immigrants and Americans united to defend human rights, democracy, and sovereignty in the Philippines.

Malaya Movement's points of unity:

1. Stop the killings
2. No to fascist dictatorship
3. Scrap EO 70, MO 32, and all other de facto martial law policies
4. End corruption and political dynasties
5. Stand for genuine democracy
6. Defend Philippine sovereignty against all foreign powers

Learn more & take action

Philippine Human Rights Act (PHRA)

The Philippines has been deemed one of the deadliest countries in the world for land defenders, journalists and trade unionists. According to human rights groups, the number of killings under the current Duterte regime has risen to 30,000.

However, between 2016 and 2019 alone, the U.S. has provided $550 million dollars in military aid to Duterte and implemented paltry human rights restrictions and oversight.

We are calling for the introduction of legislation “To suspend United States security assistance with the Philippines until such time as human rights violations by Philippine security forces cease and the responsible state forces are held accountable.”

We are asking for individuals' support in lobbying Congress and organizations in becoming an official endorser of this campaign for the suspension of U.S. military aid.

Text "SIGN ECTGTA" to 50409 to send an email to your representatives and sign the petition!

Stop arms sale to Duterte

As Congress is struggling to get up and running after the onset of COVID-19, the Department of Defense is still negotiating arms sales to oppressive governments, like a whopping $2 billion to the Philippines.

We need oversight, and the usual 30-day oversight window is not enough in these unusual circumstances -- which is exactly why Rep. Ilhan Omar has written a letter asking the Department of Defense to PAUSE arms sales until Congress can provide necessary oversight.

The proposed arms sales include: tanks, torpedos, attack helicopters and other weapons to the Philippines, Egypt, India, Hungary, and the United Arab Emirates.

If these arms sales go through, expect to see more:

1. Extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, where over 30,000 people have been killed without trial in Duterte’s now infamous War on Drugs.

2. Mass trials and disappearances of activists and critics in Egypt, where President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has maintained a nation-wide state of emergency since 2017.

3. Impunity in India, where extrajudicial killings are going uninvestigated and unpunished in regions still subject to the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

4. War in Yemen, where the United Arab Emirates has been transferring US weapons to armed groups engaged in the civil war.

5. Consolidation of power in Hungary, where Prime Minister Viktor Orban is proposing sweeping emergency powers that would give him the ability to create and annul laws without legislative or judicial review.

COVID-19 has completely re-oriented our priorities towards public health and safety. We have a duty to be accountable for our actions and how they affect those around us -- and this holds true for the sale of weapons as well.

#JunkTerrorLaw

What is the Anti-Terror Law?

The Philippines' "Anti-Terrorism Act" will allow the Philippine government to label and treat any Filipino citizen, including those living abroad, a "terrorist" for expressing dissent or criticism against the Philippine government. It will basically make martial law permanent.

What can we do from the United States to stop it?

The Philippine government responds to international pressure and has very close ties with the U.S. Join the members and volunteers of Malaya Movement in SoCal in demanding U.S. Congress to 1) publicly condemn the "Anti-Terrorism Law" and 2) support the campaign to introduce and pass the PHILIPPINE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT (PHRA), which will stop funding to Duterte's army and police until human rights standards are met and violators of human rights are held accountable.

What activities will be considered "terrorism"?

  • posting, sharing and/or retweeting posts critical of government

  • protesting or joining a rally

  • planning, training, organizing, or

  • recruiting by activists and organizations

  • donating to/helping organizations not approved by government

  • purchasing or possessing a knife or any object that can be used as a weapon

  • alleged destruction of government property

  • meet-ups with your friends (if government officials claim you are suspected of plotting against the government)

What could happen under the "Anti-Terrorism Act"?

  • Courts can declare individuals and activist organizations "terrorists" without notice or hearing

  • Authorities can wiretap you for 60 to 90 days

  • Citizens can be arrested without a warrant and detained for up to 24 days

  • 12 years to life imprisonment

  • Authorities can freeze bank accounts for mere suspicion of "terrorism"

  • Authorities can revoke a person's right under current law to Php 500,000 in reparations for each day of wrongful detention

It's truly best to use your own words. But here is a script to guide you.

CALL CONGRESS: #JunkTerrorLaw

Hi there, my name is __ and I'm from (neighborhood/city). I'm calling to ask Rep. (name) to publicly condemn the "Anti-Terror Law" coming out of the Philippines. As a Filipino American/immigrant in the Representative's district, I am deeply concerned about this law, which will allow the repressive Philippine government to treat free speech and dissent as terrorism. Again, I'm asking the Representative to publicly condemn Duterte's "Anti-Terror Law." Which email can I send a follow-up message to? Thank you.