‘Aswang’ director urges public not to be afraid, silent; ‘We deserve better than this’

The director and producer of the critically acclaimed drug war documentary “Aswang” has urged the public not to be afraid and silent amid abuse of power.

“Don’t be silent. Don’t be complicit. Don’t be afraid,” Alyx Arumpac told GMA News Online.

“This anger and discontent should fuel action and change,” she said. “We deserve better than this, I can’t stress that enough.”

Arumpac said she decided to release the film online for free last weekend after the antiterror bill was signed into law earlier this month.

The antiterror bill was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on July 3 despite massive protests from various organizations, including the United Nations’ human rights chief, over questionable sections on warrantless arrests and vague terms. 

“This is very alarming because it legalizes a lot of horrific things that were being done in the film,” said the producer.

“Aswang,” which took home the international critics’ FIPRESCI Award during the International Documentary Film Festival in Amsterdam in 2019, sheds light on the lives of drug war victims.

It was supposed to have its Philippine premiere at the Daang Dokyu film festival on March 16, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For those who missed the online screening of “Aswang,” the film’s Facebook page has announced it will again be available for streaming soon. – RC, GMA News