Screenshot from Maui Becker’s Youtube channel
MANILA, Philippines — A vlogger accused actress Liza Soberano of becoming a member of an alleged communist front after she participated in an online seminar by the youth arm of women’s rights group Gabriela.
“Kapamilya actress Liza Soberano joins Gabriela Youth, a front of the Communists!” the description of a Youtube livestream by a certain Maui Becker read.
“LIZA SOBERANO, MIYEMBRO NA NG NEW PEOPLE’S ARMY?” the title read.
In the livestream on Wednesday night, the vlogger played a portion of Soberano’s speech before Gabriela Youth where she spoke about violence against women and children.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cFGD7NkkPo&t=4199s
“I was afraid that people would judge me. They would say what do I know, I’m just a girl, I’m just an actress,” Soberano said in the seminar, explaining why she was previously hesitant about speaking up on issues.
Maui, in response to the actress’ remark, said: “Yes, tama. Ganon, intindihin mo na lang ang trabaho mo. Pero sige, kalayaan mo ‘yan pero make sure lang na knowledgeable ka sa mga bagay-bagay.”
(Yes, that’s right. Just mind your job. Sure, it’s your freedom but make sure that you are knowledgeable about things.)
“Eh ngayon mukhang wala kang alam na ‘yung Gabriela ay salot sa lipunan, miyembro ng mga terorista at komunista, rebelde, NPA, front ng NPA. At wala kang ka ide-ideya. E kung ganyan na wala kang kaalam alam Liza, e manahimik ka. At hands off our children, Liza, you stupid b****,” the vlogger went on.
(But right now, it looks like you don’t know that Gabriela is a plague in the society, members of terrorists and communists, rebels, NPA, NPA’s front. You don’t have any idea. If you don’t know anything Liza, just keep silent. And hands off our children, Liza, you stupid b****.)
The video has so far garnered over 5,100 views, with 280 likes and 607 dislikes, as of this writing.
Many of the netizens in the comment section came to Soberano’s defense, even warning the vlogger of possibly getting a lawsuit over her statements.
“Being a progressive thinker doesn’t make one [is] a communist. Red-tagging is criminal. Reported,” one Youtube user wrote.
“Red-tagging ito. Good luck kung makasuhan ka,” another netizen said.
“Let’s wait and see when she sues you for cyber libel. This is definitely red-tagging,” another user said.
Some netizens also called on others to mass report the video.
“THIS IS REDTAGGING. Mass report natin to mga lods, #DefendLizaSoberano!!! Gabriela youth is a LEGAL mass org. Educate yourself po lalo pa’t sobrang sensitive na issue ng red-tagging na sumusuporta sa pagterrorize, pagkulong at pagpatay sa’ting activists na layon lang itaguyod ang hustisya,” one comment read.