ASEAN Regional Coalition to POLITICAL PROFILE & CASE STUDY #StopDigitalDictatorship THE PHILIPPINES 2023 Political Overview Congressional Presidential system in theory, semi-authoritarian regime in practice. Head of State, Head of Government President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. Pura Luka Vega Philippine nonbinary drag artist The Philippines #FreePuraLuka � � CASE STUDY Identity-based violence, anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment, and the weaponisation of religion are tools often used to perpetuate Digital Dictatorship, such as in the case of this Philippine drag artist… WHEN 2021−2023 (videos posted); early October 2023 (arrest) Brunei WHERE Manila, the Philippines WHO Pura Luka Vega (government name Amadeus Fernando Pagente), Philippine nonbinary drag artist �� WHY/WHAT � � Pura Luka posted a series of videos on social media Malaysia of their drag shows. This was enough to have reports filed against them, and for them to be detained. HOW ⚠ How Digital Dictatorship has caused the violation of Pura Luka’s human rights: �� �� �� Kapisanan ng Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas Inc. (KSMBPI) made a complaint to the Pasay Prosecutor’s Office, on the grounds that Pura Luka was allegedly spreading ‘vulgar content,’ ‘mocking Jesus,’ and being ‘immoral.’ In the context of LGBTIQA+ lived experiences, these accusations are likely rooted in homophobia. Al Jazeera, Philippines’ drag artist Pura Luka Vega arrested for ‘offending religion’, (6 October 2023), available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/6/philippines-drag-artist-p ura-luka-vega-arrested-for-offending-religion Inquirer, Pura Luka Vega faces new criminal raps for offending religious �� �� Pura Luka was declared persona non grata (a socially ‘unacceptable/unwelcome person’) and arrested, charged with violating Article 133 (offending religious feelings), and Sections (2)(B)(3) and (2)(B)(5) of Article 201 (immoral doctrines and obscene publications) of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines. Pura Luka was detained for 3 days, and Thereleased Philippines was upon paying a P 72,000 bail bond. feelings, (23 October 2023), available at: https://entertainment.inquirer.net/524202/pura-luka-vega-faces-new -criminal-raps-for-offending-religious-feelings-cybercrime. Arrests, litigation, and the other forms of harassment mentioned in this case study are just some examples of how Digital Dictatorship has affected the individual(s) mentioned, as well as Southeast Asian society as a whole. HRDs and/or journalists, including the one(s) 235 in this case study, are often perpetually targeted by Digital Dictatorship in numerous ways that go beyond just what is discussed here.