Michael Beltran

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Michael Beltran is a journalist based in Metro Manila.

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2019/04/30 | Michael Beltran

Sarah Elago, the Youngest Lawmaker in the Philippines, Challenges Duterte's Boys Club

The youngest lawmaker in the 17th Congress of the Philippines is taking her party's fight for justice to the streets.

2020/01/21 | Michael Beltran

Thousands of Filipino Families to Be Displaced by Chinese-Backed Construction Craze

The Philippines are preparing to jump into a manic building spree, backed by Chinese investments. The relocation of the native inhabitants seems like an afterthought.

2019/12/12 | Michael Beltran

Manila's Arrest of Dissident Artists Could Interfere With Freedom of Expression

On November 30, the Manila police arrested street artists who were writing political messages on the wall for "vandalism." Many are now interpreting the act as the government's crackdown on freedom of expression.

2019/05/15 | Michael Beltran

Thailand's 'Can Do' Bar, Run by Sex Workers, Stands for Workers' Rights and Dignity

A bar in Chiang Mai, Thailand which is collectively owned by sex workers is pushing for human dignity and rights for workers throughout the country.

2019/01/21 | Michael Beltran

Serial Misogynist: The Dangers of Duterte's Tyrannical Crusade Against Women

Rodrigo Duterte lords over a society where, from the Presidential Palace to the streets of Manila, misogyny and violence against women run rampant.

2019/08/19 | Michael Beltran

55 Philippine Indigenous Schools Suspended for Alleged Rebel Activities

The philippine government has suspended 55 indigenous schools, accusing them of teaching the children to rebel against authorities.

2019/02/25 | Michael Beltran

PHILIPPINES: Why the People Are Losing Faith in Duterte's Economic Policies

Price hikes, rice liberalization, rising taxes and more have sparked concern over Rodrigo Duterte's economic policies. Could the worst be yet to come?

2019/09/12 | Michael Beltran

Duterte Shoved the Philippines Further Into the Dragon's Mouth

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s fifth visit to Beijing resulted in a failure to assert territorial claims, again.

2019/04/23 | Michael Beltran

PHILIPPINES: Killing of 14 Farmers Highlights Duterte's Counterinsurgency Plans

The deaths of 14 farmers at the hands of Philippine police point to a wider counterinsurgency strategy which has struck rural communities with fear and outrage.

2018/09/27 | Michael Beltran

EXPERIENCE: The Sights and Sounds of Plastikan, Manila's 'Dumpsite Slum'

Through a visit to Manila’s ‘Plastikan,’ the author shares his introduction to urban poor movements in the Philippines.

2021/11/19 | Michael Beltran

The Case of Steve Abua: Philippines Pro-Government Kidnappers Show New Level of Brazenness

The abduction of Steve Abua, a peasant organizer, is a painfully familiar occurrence in the Philippines. What’s new is the brazenness with which his pro-government captors have carried out his disappearance.

2019/06/20 | Michael Beltran

What Do the Rebels Have to Say About the Philippine Mid-Term Elections?

While administration-backed candidates dominate the senate and the Duterte- aligned parties have gained seats in the lower house the rebels reject the elections as being largely useless to change a 'tyrannical regime'.

2019/06/28 | Michael Beltran

Not so Strong Man: Duterte Buckles Under Chinese Pressure Amid Maritime Row

Officials in the Philippines initially came on strong demanding China be sanctioned for an incident at Recto Bank, while Duterte kept his lips sealed. Days later Duterte finally dismissed the whole thing as 'a little maritime accident' and the administration fell in line, much to the ire of citizens. But — asks Michael Beltran — who is pulling whose strings here?

2020/02/07 | Michael Beltran

Outrage Over Duterte's Inaction Grips Filipinos During Coronavirus Scare

A general distrust in Philippine president Duterte's ability to handle the coronavirus outbreak has sparked protest both on social media and in the streets.