By the Concerned Artists of the Philippines
The Concerned Artists of the Philippines condemns the police’s harassment of a Halloween partygoer for wearing a police uniform costume. This so-called crackdown in the name of “respect for the uniform” is dangerous and absurd. It criminalizes free expression and sets a chilling precedent for policing the portrayal of state forces in plays, films, exhibitions, and performances. Halloween is a time for costumes and merriment; to impute criminal intent is a distortion of both reason and law.
This latest incident mirrors the MTRCB’s summons of a content creator who criticized its repeated censorship of the film “Dreamboi,” citing “undermining respect for public institutions.” The pattern is clear: instead of confronting systemic corruption and abuse of power, agencies are instead mobilizing their time and resources to target citizens, artists, and critics. Over 200 protesters have been arrested and mistreated at the hands of the police, with absurd sedition charges filed against at least 97. Meanwhile, films that question the status quo are branded with “X” ratings, barring them from commercial release.
At a time of deep public mistrust, these acts expose how fragile that “respect” truly is. The true disgrace to the uniform, and to public service, is not a Halloween costume or a curse word, but the continuing impunity, corruption, and repression under this administration, aided by agencies such as the PNP and the MTRCB. The police must issue a public apology to the harassed partygoer, provide reparations for damages and public humiliation, and ensure disciplinary action against those responsible. They should go after the real plunderers, not protesters, artists, or citizens in costume. The MTRCB must cease its harassment of artists and cultural workers exercising their right to critical thought and expression. Abolish the MTRCB!
Culture cannot breathe under fear. Artists and citizens must resist this creeping authoritarianism. The people’s right to create, critique, and even mock power must be defended, especially when state power itself has become a farce. #
