International media: Negative image of Phl

A close friend of mine has been sending news about the Philippines as reported outside our country.  I am shocked at how one-sided it can be: always negative and oftentimes demeaning about our leadership.  In my opinion, this negativity can be easily defused, even offset, if the Presidential communications team placed a priority on communicating with the international media in this country and abroad.

Allow me to cite some recent stories in the foreign press that highlight our challenge:

The Economist commented on a series of anti-crime measures carried out by President Duterte’s administration, arguing that the President’s “ill-conceived war on drugs” will make the Philippines “poorer and more violent”, and that investors will “flee” if the “rule of law erodes”.

The Economist, Aug. 13, 2016 – War against crime in the Philippines: A harvest of lead

 “Mr. Duterte would have the world believe that the Philippines’ corrupt and ineffective police have suddenly become omniscient—able to tell innocence from guilt and decide who may live and who should die. When he menacingly read out the names of more than 150 officials deemed connected to the drug trade, at least two of those whom he fingered were already dead. It would be comical were the consequences not so horrifying. One recent picture shows a distraught woman cradling her husband lying dead next to a sign, pusher ako (“I am a drug pusher”)—a tropical version of Michelangelo’s “Pietà”.

Right now Mr. Duterte seems beyond restraint. When the chief justice demanded proper arrest warrants, Mr. Duterte threatened to impose martial law. But Filipinos and their foreign friends must keep exerting pressure on him.”

“Filipinos’ desire for instant retribution will, surely, turn to horror, hatred and revenge. The rule of law will erode. Investors, who have made the Philippines one of globalization’s winners in recent years, will flee. The only winners will be the still-lurking insurgents. Mr. Duterte’s ill-conceived war on drugs will make the Philippines poorer and more violent.”

The New York Times, Aug. 11, 2016 – Killings of Drug Suspects Rise to 525 in the Philippines

“Human rights have been sacrificed in the conduct of the anti-drug drive, with those holding the gun assuming the roles of both accusers and executioners,” left-wing protest leader Vencer Crisostomo said. “It is impossible to ascertain innocence or guilt if the accused are simply shot on the spot.”

“The Duterte regime’s war on drugs is bound to fail if it continues to rely on extrajudicial killings led by a corrupt and abusive police and military hierarchy, Crisostomo said, adding that the illegal drug trade is a symptom of deeper social problems, like rising poverty, joblessness and hunger, “which cannot be wiped out by bullets alone.”

New Europe Belgium, Aug. 11, 2016 – Philippine president insults US ambassador

“As reported by The Washington Post, Duterte said: “As you know, I’m fighting with (US Secretary of State John F. Kerry’s) ambassador. His gay ambassador, the son of a whore. He pissed me off”. He was speaking in Tagalog, the main language of the Philippines……”

“But Goldberg is not the first dignitary to be subjected to crude comments from Duterte. Before becoming president, Duterte had used the same “son of a whore” word to describe the pope.”

Channel News Asia, Aug. 11, 2016 – Duterte’swar on drugs leaves jails bursting, sees mass surrenders

Another person feeling the effects of Duterte’s war on drugs is Don Morado Pacheco, owner of Pacheco funeral parlours. He says that since Duterte became president, the number of bodies being delivered to his 21 outlets across Manila has more than doubled.

 “Some people say funeral services are good business right now, but it’s really hard,” he said. “We’re exhausted. First, we’re physically tired because we pick up so many bodies. Second, it’s a sorrow for us because we are forced to ask for payment from families who are poor and have a hard time making payment.”

At a time when so much is going right for the Philippines it is a shame that the story that the international community is reading is not the story that will support efforts to promote more job-creating foreign direct investment, promote increased levels of tourism, and win our country support in the international affairs arena. 

Beyond local politics, our spokespersons have a responsibility to communicate the successes our country is achieving and the important role we are playing in world economic and political affairs. At the moment, it is clear that no one is focused on efforts to project a positive image to the international community.  I have always felt that every government should have staff assigned to address international communications 24/7.   During the time of President Ramos, each department secretary was tasked to report on newsworthy items on a daily basis. Using that input, the Palace press office was able to identify applicable stories for both the local and foreign press and this effort contributed to the rising reputation of our country and its leadership.

Experience has shown, if we don’t tell our own story, others will, and we won’t be happy with the results. Our countrymen are great story tellers, we just have to do a better job telling the very positive Philippine story to those around the world who are only getting one view of the change taking place in our country.