From the point of view of a stay-at-home mom with regards to the #CommunityPantryPH movement, and the harassment and red-tagging occurring everywhere.

A thread.

I'm not versed in political science, not am I a grassroots activist. I'm just a stay-at-home / bum. But I would be remiss if I am not aware and do not care about what is happening outside the four corners of my living space.

1/

When I heard of the #CommunityPantryPH, I was glad. Because something is being done for the poor in out community. They are the ones most hard hit in this pandemic. I can't even begin to imagine the hardship of having your and your family's stomachs grumble and have no food.

2/

Then I learned that they are being tagged as communist. I was beside myself. As far as I know, the movement is socialist in nature (correct me if I'm wrong), and they're not harming anybody! Well, maybe the ego of a certain dog, but otherwise, not at all!

3/

Of course, I began rooting for the underdog, whom those in power are trying to quash. I am trying to follow the movements in tweets. And could only shake my head at the inanity of those in power, so insecure of a handful volunteers.

4/

Then there's this comment by Parlade, which I would consider the most arrogant and the most inane thing I've ever heard of! What the fuck are you talking about?! Ana Patricia Non compared to Satan?! Oh come on! That's just low, man. And lazy!

5/

If you're going to insult someone, at least be witty about it!

Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes. The #CommunityPantryPH is one of the best things to happen to Filipinos in this pandemic. And it's also one that is hard to corrupt, I guess.

6/

You see, in large donation drives, we have witnessed before, that there are anomalies in the donations given by donators, and the donations received by the people. Where was the difference? Someone has to have pocketed it! But in drives like these, there is nothing to graft.

7/

It's all hand to hand and the distribution is direct. Where can you graft there? And unless you can Prove Ms Non to be unscrupulous, I doubt there will be grafting done on the donations either. The burden of proof lies with the accuser. Remember that.

8/

I just find it funny that trolls keep defaming the organisers of #CommunityPantryPH, and they sometimes try to disrupt the operations with redundancies: safety protocols that are already observed, and other things like that. I just don't get it.

9/

What's funnier, is that the military and the police are now as well adapting this movement and making it as if its their own initiative. I could only shake my head. The irony is though, they're the ones with propaganda material. Wahahahahahahah!

10/

Still, I would like the #CommunityPantryPH to spread like this damned virus. Because heaven knows, we have a lot of citizens who need it. So for those who organise these, I commend you! Keep up the good fight! Know your rights in case you're getting harassed.

11/

Atty @ChelDiokno has a good thread that could help.

So, I guess I'll end my ramblings here. Thanks for reading. Makibaka! Wag matakot!