Tag Archives: Bambi Beltran

[Statement] CHR Spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the arrest of Cebu film writer Maria Victoria Beltran

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Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the arrest of Cebu film writer Maria Victoria Beltran

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses concern over the arrest of Maria Victoria ‘Bambi’ Beltran early Sunday, 19 April 2020, in Cebu City.

Reports say that the warrantless arrest was made due to an alleged violation of the Cybercrime Law after Beltran posted on Facebook what she claims as a satirical response to the rising number of positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Sitio Zapatera, Barangay Luz.

Beltran was also said to have taken down the post after Cebu Mayor Edgar Labella threatened her with an arrest.

A fully functional democratic society should be able to allow the reasonable exercise of free speech and expression as a means to participate in matters concerning public life. Arrests should never be made as a default response to dissent. Governments, especially in localities, should be able to engage in a healthy dialogue to enlighten its citizens instead of triggering fear.

In this regard, we hope that we can channel our collective energies and efforts to curbing the transmission of COVID-19 and addressing the socio-economic needs on the ground brought about by the loss of livelihood due to enhanced quarantine, which is equally pressing human rights concerns.

We stress that human rights cannot be suspended even during public emergencies. Restrictions to freedoms are also bound by the parameters set by human rights law and should never lead to their abrogation. In this regard, CHR Region VII is already investigating this case in the interest of knowing the truth and in defense of freedoms and human dignity.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/commission-on-human-rights-of-the-philippines/statement-of-chr-spokesperson-atty-jacqueline-ann-de-guia-on-the-arrest-of-cebu-/2756915374424990/

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[Statement] HRW calls for release of Cebu writer arrested for FB post

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HRW calls for release of Cebu writer arrested for FB post

Human Rights Watch views with concern the arrest of Cebu City-based writer and actor Bambi Beltran, allegedly for violating the law on “false information.” Her arrest is a case of government officials misapplying the law. Her post on Facebook — “9,000 + new cases (all from Zapatera) of COVID-19 in Cebu City in one day. We are now the epicenter in the whole Solar System.” – is clearly commentary that was meant to be humorous. It was based on earlier official pronouncements that the whole community of Zapatera, which has a population of more than 9,000, has been deemed “contaminated” by the COVID-19 virus. While public officials dealing with COVID-19 are expected to feel stressed, overwhelmed, even aggrieved by criticism, misusing the law to violate freedom of expression is a disproportionate and wrong response. Nothing it what Beltran said can be legitimately construed as a hindrance to Cebu City’s efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Instead of arresting people for their thoughts, Cebu City officials should focus their attention on defeating COVID-19 and provide truthful, accurate information to the public. Citizens like Beltran have a right to express their opinions about what is happening; government officials should resist the temptation to act despotic in responding to those concerns.

Carlos Conde
Philippines researcher
Human Rights Watch

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[Statement] Free Expression, #FreeBAMBI -DAKILA

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Free Expression, #FreeBAMBI
Statement on the arrest of DAKILA member, Maria Victoria “Bambi” Beltran

DAKILA strongly condemns the warrantless arrest of artist and writer Maria Victoria “Bambi” Beltran by the Cebu City police over her Facebook post responding to the rising COVID-19 cases in the city. This is a flagrant attack on our freedom of expression and a shocking display of misplaced government priorities in the face of the urgent need for comprehensive health interventions and basic social services to address the COVID-19 crisis.

Recently, Beltran, a DAKILA member, active cultural worker, and vocal advocate, posted on Facebook a satirical response to the rising positive cases of COVID-19 in Sitio Zapatera in Barangay Luz, which said, “9,000+ new cases (All from Zapatera) of COVID-19 in Cebu City in one day. We are now the epicenter in the whole Solar System.” This statement echoed reports from local news that health officials from DOH Central Visayas considered the whole sitio, with a population of 9,000, as infected or presumed contaminated.

Mayor Edgardo Labella of Cebu City – who had previously appointed Beltran to the city’s cinema development council – appeared to respond to Beltran through his official Facebook page, which accused her of spreading fake news and committing a criminal act, warning that she would be arrested by the PNP Cybercrime Unit. Beltran took down her post and issued a public statement through her legal counsel, stating that her satirical post “does not spread chaos, anarchy, fear, or confusion.”

What has in fact sparked fear and confusion is the report that at 12:30 AM on the 19th of April, a Sunday, Beltran was arrested without warrant along Gorordo Avenue, Barangay Kamputhaw by the local police. Central Visayas police director Brigadier General Albert Ferro, through a Rappler article, stated that Beltran was arrested for violating RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Law. Meanwhile, Beltran’s lawyer Atty. Benjamin Militar said that they were told Beltran was charged for violating Sec 6(f) of the Bayanihan Act.

Beltran was ambushed with a warrantless arrest under cover of midnight with vague charges on a day when she could not post bail. Her alleged crime? Voicing concern about an escalating health crisis. It is appalling that the local government appears to be more concerned about policing public discourse rather than giving their full attention to the plight of Cebuanos at risk of succumbing to the virus, who lack tests, facilities, and PPEs to fight on the frontlines, or basic needs to sustain themselves amid community lockdown.

We call on Mayor Labella and the Cebu City Police to #FreeBambi. We call on our government to consistently uphold human rights as they protect their constituents from the dangers of the ongoing pandemic. We call on fellow Filipinos to condemn attacks on their freedom of expression and continue to use their voices to demand for a transparent, rights-based, and science-backed response to the COVID-19 crisis.

#FreeBambi #IStandWithBambi #UpholdFreedomOfExpression #DefendFreeSpeechInCebu #UpholdHumanRights #ProtectThePeople #COVID19PH

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[In the news] Cebu film writer arrested over Facebook post about coronavirus in Sitio Zapatera -RAPPLER.com

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Cebu film writer arrested over Facebook post about coronavirus in Sitio Zapatera

A Cebu film writer and owner of a local bar was arrested early morning on Sunday, April 19 over a sarcastic Facebook post she made in relation to the coronavirus “contamination” of Sitio Zapatera in Cebu City.

Maria Victoria Beltran’s lawyer, Vincent Isles, confirmed the arrest to Rappler in a text message. (READ: Entire Cebu City sitio ‘presumed contaminated’ with coronavirus)

“It’s an egregious violation of her rights,” Isles said in a text message. 

He said that they have no information on what the exact charges are and who issued the arrest warrant.

Brigadier General Albert Ferro, Central Visayas’ police director, told Rappler in a text message Beltran was being charged with violating Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Law.

The cybercrime unit is under the Police Regional Office-7 (PRO-7).

The arrest stemmed from a post made by Beltran on Sitio Zapatera, in Barangay Luz, an area of over 9,000 residents, having the most number of COVID-19 cases in Cebu City.

Her post said, “9,000+ new cases (all from Zapatera) of Covid-19 in Cebu City in one day. We are now the epicenter in the whole solar system.”

To this, Mayor Edgar Labella replied in Cebuano: “This is FAKE NEWS and this is a criminal act. Just wait Ms Beltran, you’ll soon be caught by the PNP Cybercrime Unit. You’ll really be thrown in prison.”

Read complete article @www.rappler.com

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[Statement] We condemn the arrest of Cebuano Film-writer and Business owner Bambi Beltran! -MAT

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MOVEMENT AGAINST TYRANNY CEBU’S STATEMENT ON THE ILLEGAL ARREST OF MISS BAMBI BELTRAN
April 19, 2020

We condemn the arrest of Cebuano Film-writer and Business owner Bambi Beltran!

As of 12:30 today, April 19, Ms. Maria Victoria Beltran better known by many as Ms. Bambi was arrested and currently detained at the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 for supposedly violating the provision of the Bayanihan to Heal as One-Act. There are still no charges filed against her.

The supposed violation was based on Ms. Beltran’s Facebook post about the situation of Sitio Zapatera in Brgy. Luz which was labeled by Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella as “Fake News”. The Bayanihan act has a provision that prohibits the spread of false information pertaining to the CoVid-19 situation.

The Movement Against Tyranny Cebu denounces the action of the Cebu City government and the Philippine National Police as a misguided approach in addressing the problems posed by the pandemic.

Beltran’s post was in response to the vague proclamations made by the Cebu City Government and the DOH stating that the entire sitio is considered to be contaminated and infected. Without any categorical explanation about what it meant and no further discussion on the implications and further plans, such proclamation is subject to various take by the public. The City Government and the DOH failed to provide the public with clear and reliable information. It only posed fear upon the Cebuano citizens most especially those who are in Brgy. Luz.

Miss Beltran’s post was also satirical of such vague information shared by these responsible government offices and was not presented as a news claim. Instead of persecuting Miss Beltran and those who “mistook” the DOH’s and City Government’s statements, it could have been an opportunity for your accountable office to clarify the matter. While a lot of Cebuanos, Especially the residents of Sitio Zapatera, are in worsening socio-economic conditions and the constant threat of the pandemic, all efforts of the national and local government must be in improving its medical capacity and social amelioration.

The movement also denounces the use of this “Anti- Fake news” provision of the Bayanihan Act by the National and Local Government to persecute common citizens and critiques while they turn a blind eye on Government institutions and personalities peddling false information about the pandemic such as the PTV news and Teddy Boy Locsin.

This brand of leadership is not what we need right now. What we need is an efficient government willing and able to address the medical and socio-economic needs of its constituents, not a leviathan very eager to maintain its posture to the extent of persecuting ordinary citizens.

With this, we reiterate the call for the release of Ms. Beltran and call upon the Cebu City Government to be less reactive on the situation and redirect all its resources and energy to trace, contain, and treat the virus to end this Pandemic.

#FreeBambi
#EndStateRespression
#TransparencyNotTyranny
#SolusyongMedikalHindiMilitar

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