Michael Beltran

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Michael Beltran is a journalist based in Metro Manila.

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2021/06/08 | Michael Beltran

Three Issues Defining the Philippines 2022 Elections

The pandemic, China, and domestic conflicts are shaping up to be the main issues defining next year’s presidential election in the Philippines.

2021/05/19 | Michael Beltran

How a Young Journalist Was Detained in the Philippines Throughout the Pandemic

Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s incarceration has come to represent the challenges facing young journalists in the Philippines since President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration took office in 2016.

2021/04/21 | Michael Beltran

How a Community Pantry Sparked Movement of Mutual Aid in the Philippines

To help those struggling financially during the pandemic, hundreds of community pantries have been set up across the Philippines, and more are sprouting up.

2021/03/10 | Michael Beltran

The Bloodiest Sunday in the Philippines

Nine people were murdered by state forces in the Philippines. Michael Beltran spoke with two eye witnesses.

2021/01/22 | Michael Beltran

Philippines: Armed Forces University Ban Canceled

The Philippine government has canceled a long standing agreement that barred armed forces from entering the country’s leading university, University of the Philippines.

2020/12/31 | Michael Beltran

Philippines: The Tactics Behind Red-Tagging

The military and government bureaucracy will never openly admit to it, but there is a stark and disturbing trend of mobilizing state resources against civil society in the Philippines.

2020/11/05 | Michael Beltran

Philippines Celebrities Not Immune From Red-Tagging Terror Campaign

The practice of "red-tagging" in the Philippines is usually reserved for dissidents, but recent comments from a general suggest that the government has celebrities in their sights.

2020/08/18 | Michael Beltran

Philippines Lockdown Lifted, No Relief for Frontline Workers

The lockdown in Metro Manila may have been lifted, but neither Covid-19 nor the crisis in the healthcare system shows signs of relenting.

2020/07/30 | Michael Beltran

Duterte Forever? Critics Wary of Constitutional Changes in the Philippines

1,489 mayors in the Philippines proposed constitutional amendments calling for an extension of office terms as the country is sinking deeper into its pandemic woes. Critics called the proposal a power grab.

2020/06/10 | Michael Beltran

Philippine Activists: ‘Cloned’ Facebook Account Attacks Possibly Linked to Government

The Philippine government’s efforts to stifle dissent took an absurd twist when thousands of university students, faculty, and journalists woke up on Sunday to find cloned Facebook profiles of themselves.

2020/04/30 | Michael Beltran

Filipino Worker in Taiwan Defiant in Face of Deportation Threats

Elanel Ordidor is steadfast in her commitment to speak freely against a Philippine official's threats to have her deported from Taiwan.

2020/04/09 | Michael Beltran

Mass Arrests in the Philippines as Lockdown Tightens

The mass arrest of 21 protestors on April 1 in Quezon City is the latest flashpoint in the government's draconian lockdown.

2020/03/31 | Michael Beltran

Basic Needs Unmet in the Philippines While Duterte Exploits Emergency Powers

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is taking advantage of his emergency powers during the COVID-19 pandemic while the elites benefit. But Filipino activist groups do not remain silent.

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.

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.