Beauty queen Mariel de Leon speaks up against violence in ‘bloody Philippines’
Image: Screen grab via Instagram/@mariaangelicadl
Beauty queen Mariel de Leon has taken to Twitter to speak up on the killings that have occurred with the government’s war on drugs.
Bloody Philippines
— Mariel de Leon (@mariaangelicadl) August 18, 2017
“Bloody Philippines,” she wrote on Twitter.
De Leon drew comparisons with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach who received criticism after speaking against the recent Barcelona attacks, but has remained mum on the war on drugs in the country.
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@mariaangelicadl
Some netizens praised de Leon for using her status to raise awareness on the issue, while one said she should use “hope” instead of “rage” when discussing the issue.
De Leon replied, “How am I influencing hate? It’s about opening our eyes to what’s happening around us.”
Musician Jim Paredes commended de Leon for speaking the “truth”:
The truth must be said. And you expressed it. Thank you.
— Jim (@Jimparedes) August 18, 2017
In a succeeding tweet, the Bb. Pilipinas-International title holder said, “It’s hard to wrap my mind around the fact that people are okay with murder because their leader says it is okay.”
It’s hard to wrap my mind around the fact that people are okay with murder because their leader says it is okay.
— Mariel de Leon (@mariaangelicadl) August 18, 2017
The tweet received divisive reactions from netizens and personalities such as assistant secretary of the Philippine Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Mocha Uson.
The blogger and administration supporter Uson slammed her comment for allegedly mistaking killing of criminals for murder.
“Ate wag puro ganda ginagamit mo (Girl, don’t just use your beauty),” she wrote on her Facebook page.
“Iba ang MURDER at iba ang pagpatay sa mga kriminal. HINDI INUTOS NG AMING PANGULO ANG PATAYIN ANG INOSENTE. (Murder and killing a criminal are different. Our president did not order the killing of innocents.)”
Image: Screen grab via Facebook/mochablogger
Heated discussions ensued between a Twitter user and lifestyle blogger Camie Juan.
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@mariaangelicadl
The netizen argued, “Hindi porket english ang post mo matalino ka na, you should see the difference between murder and killing criminals, isip muna wag puro dada (Just because your post is in English doesn’t mean you’re smart… think first before speaking).”
Juan countered, “Was Kian delos Santos a criminal? Where’s the proof?”
“Killing alleged criminals without solid proof or due process is murder,” stressed Juan.
Some users opposing de Leon’s statement and making personal jabs appeared to be new accounts, which could indicate that those accounts are questionable and may have been paid to reply.
The beauty queen continued in another tweet, “Until we stop harming others, we are all still savages.”
Hate inspires hate.
Violence inspires violence.“Until we stop harming others, we are all still savages.”
— Mariel de Leon (@mariaangelicadl) August 18, 2017
She also had a message for bashers: “If you’re affected, I guess the shoe fits perfectly!”
Didn’t mention anything specific, but hey! If you’re affected, I guess the shoe fits perfectly! #SashayAway
— Mariel de Leon (@mariaangelicadl) August 19, 2017
De Leon has constantly been vocal on social and political issues online as opposed to beauty queens who tend to remain neutral.
Recently, she also condemned the white supremacist rallies in Charlottesville, and criticized United States President Donald Trump for his soft statement against racism after the violent rallies which injured and killed counter-protesters fighting against discrimination. JB
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