Michael Beltran

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Michael Beltran is a journalist based in Metro Manila.

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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.

2019/08/19 | 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.

2019/07/20 | Michael Beltran

Family Threatened With Eviction to Protest at Duterte's Annual National Address

Poverty does not stop protesters from expressing their anger against President Rodrigo Duterte.

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?

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'.

2019/05/15 | 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.

2019/05/07 | Michael Beltran

PHILIPPINES: Press Freedom Under Siege as Duterte Unveils Opposition 'Matrix'

Journalists in the Philippines are speaking out against what they call a newly intensified effort by the Duterte administration to suppress press freedom.

2019/05/07 | Michael Beltran

PHILIPPINES: Rights Groups, Branded as Communists, Fight to Preserve EU Funding

Philippines rights groups allege the government is falsely branding them as communists in an effort to sever the funding they receive from the European Union.

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.

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.

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?

2019/01/21 | 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.

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.