The Spanish-American War, which resulted in U.S. colonial relationships with Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines via annexation, is referred to as the “first media war” in some quarters and was also a watershed moment in the history of mis- and disinformation.

Epitomizing what came to be known as “yellow journalism,” the sensationalist reporting of U.S. newspapers owned by rival publishers Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst rose to a fever pitch as their respective outlets fought for market share and oftentimes played fast and loose with the facts on the ground in their coverage of Cuba’s struggle for independence from Spain.

This International Human Rights Day, we want to recognize the contributions of human right defenders around the world and especially those fighting for human rights in the Philippines. 

1. In September and November, thousands took to the streets in the Philippines against corruption and hundreds were arrested and faced vicious cruel police brutality.

2. Throughout the year, we’ve seen the release of 8 Filipino migrants, through the efforts of their loved ones, advocates, and Tanggol Migrante Movement. 

3. In November, Julie Jamora, Malaya USA’s Secretary General,  was denied entry into the Philippines in November 2025 and was placed on the blacklist due to her role as a community leader and human rights activist.

Bonifacio Day memorializes what’s not only foundational to Filipinos but a beacon for the world: our continuing and fierce resistance against odds is a model for world resistance against fascism, impunity, and corruption. Mabuhay ang protesta ngbayan laban sa Marcos-Duterte regime.

On Bonifacio Day, Filipinos all over the world took to the streets to demand that all those implicated in stealing from the Filipino people be held accountable for their crimes.

In the United States, the clamor for justice and accountability were echoed by Malaya Movement chapters and other progressive Filipino organizations, inspired by Bonifacio’s revolutionary legacy of fighting for genuine, systemic change.

As more than 200,000 people flooded the streets in the Philippines, Filipinos overseas took part in the widespread protest against corruption, impunity and fascism, including Malaya Movement USA chapters across the United States on the 53rd anniversary of Marcos Sr.’s declaration of Martial Law.

Instead of addressing the basic problems faced by Filipinos, Marcos has instead opted to sell-out the country and its resources for his own gains. Just last week, as the country was being ravaged by another typhoon, Marcos met with fascist US president Donald Trump to negotiate the worst possible deal – leaving with a 2% tariff rate increase from 17% to 19%. BBM and his team are so desperate to spin his embarrassing results, but there is no sugarcoating this – it was a bad deal and Marcos should be ashamed.