DILG cites Manila for banning artists’ group

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) lauded the city government of Manila for declaring  Panday Sining as persona non grata for staging protest art in the city.

“We congratulate the city of Manila for this clear signal to everyone that it will not further tolerate the defacement of the capital city. It’s time we help the government and that begins by disciplining ourselves,” DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a statement yesterday.

The Manila city council, in a resolution, declared the progressive artist group as persona non grata following a spate of incidents where its members defaced the Lagusnilad underpass and other public places.

Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna announced Panday Sining’s status during the mayor’s capital report on Friday.

Malaya denounced the group’s use of the word “protest art” in describing the actions of its members.

“What do they spray paint on walls and public places? ‘Join the NPA(New People’s Army)!’” he said. “That is not protest art. That is calling for armed rebellion against the government.”

Malaya lamented that it took the Manila city government 15 years to clean the Lagusnilad underpass, only to be defaced by members of Panday Sining in less than one minute.

“This lack of discipline, this lack of respect for order, lack of respect to our laws are the primary reasons why we have not fully advanced as a nation,” Malaya said.

He said the order of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año ordering the police to arrest vandals applies to everyone, not just left-leaning groups.