CIA adventuring in the Philippines is as old as the organisation itself. The list of CIA actions in the Philippines is rather extensive and if you want a quick rundown then read the Wikipedia page on the subject. This post is about CIA fronts in the Philippines and in particular groups that receive money from the National Endowment for Democracy which is linked to the CIA.
Recently well known blogger Thinking Pinoy has put his research skills to the test to unmask the covert CIA funding of Rappler, Vera Files, the PCIJ (Philippine Centre for Investigative Journalism), and the CMFR (Centre for Media Freedom and Responsibility) through NED awards. These organisations have received a substantial amount of money via NED in increasing increments since 2016. TP's thesis is very cut and dry. These organisations receive funding to write anti-Duterte black propaganda which is in the interests of the US.
I have always wondered why Rappler, PCIJ, Vera Files, and CMFR have been very critical of the Duterte Administration since Day One.
In light of the massive funding these four outfits have been receiving from the US Government, however, I finally stopped asking why.
Will these four outfits ever dare to write anything that’s blatantly against US interests?
http://www.thinkingpinoy.net/2019/04/how-much-has-vera-files-pcij-rappler.html
Of course he neglects to tell us exactly what they are writing which is blatantly in the interests of the US. Why are news articles critical of Duterte pro-US? Why are accusations that Duterte has billions in hidden wealth really in the interests of the US? Is he aware that the Duterte administration is still heavily dependent on the US especially in the war on terrorism? Does he even know what Operation Pacific Eagle is? Why would a destabilised Philippines be in the interest of the US when the Philippines acts as barrier between China and the greater Pacific? He also neglects to tell us that there are quite a few other organisations in the Philippines receiving NED funding. Let us take a look at all of them except for the four he has cited.
2014 - $208,230
2015 - $168,754
2016 - $213,712
2017 - $322,036
Total - $912,732
This organisation has several projects with various goals which run from fighting corruption in the private sector to developing market economy.
In 2005, 2006 and 2009, respectively, CIPE launched public governance, corporate governance and anti-corruption initiatives in the Philippines. These were distinct yet complementary components of CIPE’s comprehensive strategy of making democracy deliver in the Philippines through an improved governance climate. Through CIPE’s public governance work, which saw the creation of a government reform methodology never before attempted in the country, dramatic improvements were realized both in governance outcomes and in sustainable reforms of governance processes. Through CIPE’s work on corporate governance, CIPE’s Corporate Governance Scorecard initiative both drove and documented steady improvements in corporate governance standards year over year in the Philippines – improvements that contributed to the ability of the Philippine marketplace to weather the global financial crisis of the late 2000s, as compared with the country’s struggles with the Asian crisis 10 years prior. In the area of anti-corruption, CIPE launched an innovative project to help small businesses combat bribery – an initiative that continues to this day.
https://www.cipe.org/projects/philippines/
2014 -$73,118
Total -$73,118
Total -$73,118
This group only has one award listed and it is for a project described thusly:
To strengthen civil society engagement in security sector reform and involve local communities in peace and security debates. The Security Reform Initiative will support a nationwide network of civil society organizations to monitor and recommend ways to address gaps in the implementation of the Philippine military's internal peace and security plan in accordance with human rights standards and the democratic accountability and transparency standards. Local chapters across the country will organize meetings to report on monitoring results and coordinate dialogues with military officials and other stakeholders.
Their stated official mission is as follows:
The SRI conducts peace and security policy research, based on scholastic foundations, that resonates recommendations from the ground, creates dialogue spaces, builds constituency for peace and security issues at the local and national levels, and mainstreams and advocates for security policy reforms.
http://www.securityreforminitiative.org/about-us/who-we-are/
2014 - $90,000
2015 - $90,000
2016 - $90,000
2017 - $150,000
2018 - $91,670
Total - $511,670
The description of each project is the same:
To empower and mobilize an informed public and a community of reformers dedicated to advancing sustainable, democratic reform. The program will conduct activities to foster active citizenship, political participation, and democratic governance, as well as provide secretariat support to constituency networks of youth and citizen volunteers who focus on strengthening democratic processes and institutions.
Their official mission:
INCITEGov commits to build a force for democratic reform in the Philippines from a community of champions dedicated to increasing public awareness and understanding of key reform policy issues. It anchors this commitment on its core institutional P-G-D framework that connects the dots between the practice of democratic politics to good governance and the achievement of development outcomes at scale, to break the boom and bust cycle of Philippine reform.
http://incitegov.com/about4. Caucus of Development NGO Networks
2015 - $70,000
2016 - $66,434
2017 - $76,555
Total - $212,989
Total - $212,989
From their website we read:
CODE-NGO is the largest coalition of development NGOs in the Philippines, which, because of its scale and synergy, influences public policy, provides leadership in civil society and increases the effectiveness of social development work in the country. We commit ourselves to taking civil society leadership in policy advocacy and partnership building in the public arena, as well as developing the capacity and accountability of our member networks, towards the realization of apeaceful, just and sustainable Philippine society.
https://www.devex.com/organizations/caucus-of-development-ngo-networks-code-ngo-47165
2015 - $25,904
2018 - $90,670
Total - $116,574
Total - $116,574
There is not an official page for this group but searching we find this:
Lawyers’ League for Liberty (LIBERTAS) is comprised of individuals mostly in the Philippines who are in the legal and allied professions, including law students, advocating for transparency and accountability in Government; political and electoral reforms; respect for human rights; access to justice, and the promotion of the rule of law
http://www.hustisyanatin.org/about-us/
2016 - $300,000
2018 - $300,010
Total - $600,010
Total - $600,010
From the description in the NED website:
To support the development of young, newly elected officials to serve as effective representatives and implement good governance reforms in their communities. The institute will work with local partners to coordinate the second year of a fellowship program called Young Leaders for Good Governance (YLGG). The YLGG fellows from Luzon and Mindanao will gain knowledge and skills for defending human rights principles and will develop cross-regional, local, and national connections necessary to champion responsive governance.
From their official website:
For more than 30 years, we have been helping to strengthen democracy through workshops by volunteer experts from all over the world on multi-party political systems, democratic governance practices, women's empowerment, civil society development, youth leadership, strengthening electoral processes and public opinion research.
We have conducted programs in more than 100 countries and, along with our Women’s Democracy Network and Arab Women’s Leadership Institute, are currently active in more than 85 countries. You can see where we work on our interactive map.
RI is a 501(c)(3) and receives funding through grants from the U.S. State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, the National Endowment for Democracy, a number of European foundations and aid agencies and other Western countries, and the United Nations. Less than one percent of IRI’s funding comes from private donations. We do not receive any money from the Republican Party or any other U.S. partisan entity.
https://www.iri.org/who-we-are/faqs
2016 - $29,467
Total - $29,467
Total - $29,467
To promote respect for human rights during the 2016 electoral process and contribute to the mitigation of violations. Leading up to the May national elections, the project will coordinate a coalition of human rights and election monitoring groups to introduce a human rights framework into the electoral process. Activities will include interviewing stakeholders, monitoring incidents and posting them on a web reporting platform, disseminating information to the public, and coordinating with the election and human rights commissions to address violations.
This seems to have been a one time award just for the 2016 elections.
2017 - $80,000
2018 - $46,667
Total - $126,667
Total - $126,667
From their webpage:
The Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS) is a local non-profit, non-stock legal focused advocacy and service institution. We help address the legal and technical needs of the marginalized, disempowered, and vulnerable groups particularly farmers, persons and communities affected by disasters, and victims of human rights violations.
We envision a Philippine society with an empowered citizenry sustained by participatory and accountable governance, equitable enjoyment of resources and opportunities, and accessible justice. We aim to empower the marginalized sectors, and with them, work for a policy and legal environment oriented towards the realization of their rights and participation in governance.
https://ideals.org.ph/index.php/about-us/
2017 - $75,000
2018 - $68,946
Total - $143,946
Total - $143,946
From the description on NED:
To strengthen civic engagement by empowering local communities to participate in public debates on key policy issues and to amplify their voices in support of democracy. Activities will include capacity-building for local leaders on advocacy and partnership building; town hall meetings on democracy-related topics; and awareness-raising initiatives to promote more civic and political participation.
From their website:
The Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific (Foundation) is a networking facility that helps improve governance by connecting citizens and governments. ANSA–EAP seeks to build a constituency of social accountability practitioners in the EAP region.
http://www.ansa-eap.net/about-us/who-we-are/mission/
10. Mindanao Institute of Journalism Inc.
2017 - $34,149
2018 - $35,000
Total -$69,149
Total -$69,149
From the description on NED:
To provide the public with a credible source of independent news reporting. The organization will publish an online daily newspaper that covers critical and underreported issues in the southern region of the country, including the peace process, governance, business, and the environment. The publication will feature articles and reports that examine in more depth the impacts of local- and national-level policies on communities in the region.
This organisation is also known as Mindanews.
The Mindanao Institute of Journalism (MinJourn), a non-stock, non-profit media organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is composed of independent, professional journalists who believe and practice people empowerment through media.
Minjourn started as the Mindanao News and Information Cooperative Center in 2001 and continues to adhere to the principles of professionalism and social responsibility on which it was founded.
Minjourn seeks to promote knowledge and public awareness of Mindanao issues through publication, training, databank and research services; provide news and information to news organizations and the general public through its news service, MindaNews; and help improve the journalism profession in Mindanao.
https://www.mindanews.com/about/
2017 - $76,050
2018 - $85,000
Total - $161,050
Total - $161,050
From the NED description:
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From their webpage:
PAHRA envisions a just, democratic, and peaceful Philippines founded on human rights culture. It envisions a society where there is gender equity, recognition of multiculturalism, environmental protection, and sustainable development. As such, all individuals and peoples are able to fully realize their potentials, participate and contribute in the economic, political, social and cultural life of society, and share equitably in the benefits of economic progress.
To achieve its vision, PAHRA commits itself to the development of a strong, progressive, dynamic, and pluralist human rights movement that engages the state to comply with its HR obligations and non-state actors to fulfill their HR responsibilities. To do this, PAHRA constitutes itself as a campaign and advocacy center and develops an education and information center in partnership with its member organizations and other NGOs, POs and individual members, and in the government at all levels.
https://philippinehumanrights.org/about
2018 - $70,000
Total - $70,000
Total - $70,000
From the NED description:
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From their webpage:
At the height of the Marcos Dictatorship, a group of doctors and concerned individuals saw the need for the health sector to collectively respond and speak against the grave human rights violations perpetuated by the regime. Thus, in April 16, 1982, the Medical Action Group was born.
As a non-stock, non-profit organization of physicians, nurses, dentists, psychologists, health students, and health workkers, MAG promotes and defends the human rights of all peoples. Since its inception, it has rendered total health services to the urban poor, political prisoners, internally displaced peoples and workers.
MAG continues to work for a society whose citizens can freely exercise their rights without fear of repression. This society, however, is far from being realized as human rights violations escalate. In the 1990's not only civil and political rights but also economic, social and cultural rights were trampled upon. As of September 30, 2004, 283 political prisoners languish in jail for common crimes.
As we move forward in the next millenium, MAG is committed to consolidate the ranks of health care providers from the community to the national level to define a health care agenda that recognizes the capacities of all peoples of the Philippines to shape a health program that is relevant and responsive to their needs.
https://magph.org/about
2018 - $70,000
Total - $70,000
Total - $70,000
From the NED description:
|
14. PILIPINA Inc.
2018 - $21,600
Total - $21,600
From the NED description:
To strengthen women's political participation and empower women to take action to support democratic processes and institutions. Through its network, the organization will bolster the ability of women to speak out collectively against threats to democracy, hold public officials accountable, and engage key stakeholders, the broader democracy movement, and the public to advance democracy and human rights. Activities will include trainings and learning sessions, advocacy initiatives, awareness-raising campaigns, and engagement with public officials |
15. Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking, Inc.
2018 - $41,000
Total - $41,000
Total - $41,000
From their website:
The Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking (CYAN) is a youth-led and youth-serving institution of youth organizations and individuals that share a common aspiration for empowered young people for societal change.
CYAN is guided by the principles of democratic persuasion, shared accountabilities, mutual trust and collective leadership.
CYAN is a community of learners who openly shares ideas, competencies and knowledge to effectively engage institutional processes and meaningfully contribute in social change.
It is an institution that facilitates organizational growth, gender-fair initiatives, grassroots approaches, creative strategies and overcoming challenges among network organizations.
As a non-stock, non-profit non-governmental organization, CYAN was established in 15 January 2005.
https://cyanpilipinas.com/about/
2018 - $60,000
Total - $60,000
Total - $60,000
Generation Peace is a network of organizations and individuals engaging a youth-led advocacy towards a just and sustainable peace. Its inception can be traced back to the Waging Peace Conference 2005 where a proposal was made to gather the next generation to continue the work of building a society grounded on the culture of peace.
Generation Peace regularly provides fundamental peace and human rights trainings for local/sub-national youth organizations from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. When emerging peace issues arise, Generation Peace acts in solidarity with civil society peace advocates in promoting awareness and helping increase the discourse on the peace processes.
https://youthpeacenetwork.wordpress.com/about/
Total of all 16 - $3,219,972
With these additional 16 groups that makes 20 Filipino organisations receiving funding from the NED. That is 20 alleged CIA front organisations in the Philippines. But how many of these groups have you heard of? I have only heard of the four TP cites. If the CIA is looking to subvert the Philippines through these organisations then they are not doing a good job. Some of these groups do not even have a proper webpage.
Most of these groups are human rights organisations. Only one, Mindanews, is a journalistic enterprise. Are they publishing anti-Duterte and pro-US propaganda or are they publishing real news from Mindanao? If I am to believe TP's analysis then they must be publishing anti-Duterte black propaganda.
I have always wondered why Rappler, PCIJ, Vera Files, and CMFR have been very critical of the Duterte Administration since Day One.
In light of the massive funding these four outfits have been receiving from the US Government, however, I finally stopped asking why.
There are problems with this snarky assessment because Rappler did not even begin receiving money from the NED until 2018 and then it was a paltry $142,000 compared to other organisations which have been receiving funding for years. VeraFiles has only received $197,600 since 2016. The PCIJ has received $242,631 since 2015. The CMFR has received $349,034 since 2014.
In contrast the CIPE has received $912,732 since 2015, INCITEgov has received $511,670 since 2014, and IRI has received $600,010 since 2016. Those are the top three biggest receivers of donations and with a total of $2,024,412 they dwarf the combined total of the big four TP cites which sits at a paltry $931,265.
The big four who are allegedly publishing all this black propaganda which is anti-Duterte and pro-US have not even received half of what INCITEgov, IRI, and the CIPE have received. Does this make sense? If the goal of the NED in funding these groups is to be a backdoor CIA organisation with the purpose of overthrowing Duterte why would they underfund these four organisations? Shouldn't Rappler have been getting big bucks for years now? Why have they only been receiving funding since 2018?
Thinking Pinoy is not thinking very well. Let's take this observation for instance:
In contrast the CIPE has received $912,732 since 2015, INCITEgov has received $511,670 since 2014, and IRI has received $600,010 since 2016. Those are the top three biggest receivers of donations and with a total of $2,024,412 they dwarf the combined total of the big four TP cites which sits at a paltry $931,265.
The big four who are allegedly publishing all this black propaganda which is anti-Duterte and pro-US have not even received half of what INCITEgov, IRI, and the CIPE have received. Does this make sense? If the goal of the NED in funding these groups is to be a backdoor CIA organisation with the purpose of overthrowing Duterte why would they underfund these four organisations? Shouldn't Rappler have been getting big bucks for years now? Why have they only been receiving funding since 2018?
Thinking Pinoy is not thinking very well. Let's take this observation for instance:
President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016. A known US critic, Duterte has made it clear from the onset of his term that he wants a independent foreign policy [TheDiplomat], characterized by lesser dependence on the US and greater co-operation with China.
This is a total departure from the historically pro-US stance of all of Duterte's predecessors since 1946, or when the US recognized Philippine independence, as discussed in the 09 September 2016 ThinkingPinoy article "Duterte's Philippines breaking away from the United States?"
http://www.thinkingpinoy.net/2019/04/how-much-has-vera-files-pcij-rappler.html
The USA absolutely did not RECOGNISE Philippine independence in 1946. In 1946 the USA withdrew all claims to the Philippines and the Philippines BECAME independent. This was the result of a 12 year process beginning in 1934 with Manuel Quezon and others visiting the USA and lobbying for independence. A plebiscite was held thus making independence the resultant will of people. I have written about this here. To say otherwise is to obfuscate history and deny the hard work of Quezon and the will of the Filipino people. Thinking Pinoy does not even know the history of his own nation.
It is also not true that Duterte has attempted to depend less on the US. The Marawi siege was won because US forces helped the AFP. DND Secretary Lorenzana admitted this.
For all his research skills in digging up these figures TP fails to provide any evidence that Rappler, the PCIJ, Vera Files, and the CMFR were critical of the Duterte administration from day one BECAUSE they receive funding from the NED. Many have been critical of Duterte since day one and it has nothing to do with the CIA. On the contrary it has to do with his constantly foul mouth, his disdain for human rights, his disdain for the constitution, his flirtation with martial law and revolutionary government, his bloody drug war which has killed thousands, his unwillingness to stand up to China in regards to the WPS, and his willingness to shuffle around the cabinet his friends who are tainted with corruption. Can TP pull up a single article from Rappler, the PCIJ, Vera Files, and the CMFR that is critical of Duterte and is wholly without basis and is outright slander? Can he pull up any article that is written at the direction of the CIA or promotes American foreign policy? If he can then Duterte should sue for libel. But he has not done so because such articles do not exist.
TP is not alone in his criticism of these organisations receiving funding from CIA fronts. Bob Tiglao, a man who has praised TP for being part of "a new breed of real investigative reporters" had this to say about the NED:
Bob ends his piece with this:
Now let me be real clear here. I am not apologising for these organisations. I am not excusing anyone for receiving funding from CIA front organisations. I am not apologising for the CIA. I am not denying that the CIA as well as other spy organisations such as Mossad regularly and clandestinely interfere in the affairs of foreign governments. I am not denying that the CIA is involved in shenanigans in the Philippines. What I am questioning is the conclusion of TP that BECAUSE these four groups receive funding from the NED they are thus critical of the Duterte administration. TP has not provided a shred of evidence to back up that assertion.
In a follow-up post focusing exclusively on the funding of Vera Files which he claims receive more than 50% of their funding from CIA fronts TP writes:
What is TP's real goal? Because he fails to discuss all the other groups receiving funding from the NED, much more substantial funding, I think all he wants to do is muckrake. He is a muckraker not interested in truth for truth's sake. He only wants to unmask Duterte's detractors. That is exactly why Bob Tiglao praised him. If he were interested in truth for truth's sake he would discuss the CIPE, INCITEgov, and IRI and investigate just how the CIA is using those groups to subvert the Philippines and promote US foreign policy. Heck if he were really interested in truth he would investigate prior knowledge and intelligence failures in the lead up to the Marawi siege which information I have repeatedly posted on his FB page and Twitter feed. No one, not even Rappler, wants to touch the subject of Marawi prior knowledge.
But that is TP for you. What else can you expect from a guy who was tapped by the AFP to give a presentation on "The Power of Social Media in Influencing Perception?"
It is also not true that Duterte has attempted to depend less on the US. The Marawi siege was won because US forces helped the AFP. DND Secretary Lorenzana admitted this.
For all his research skills in digging up these figures TP fails to provide any evidence that Rappler, the PCIJ, Vera Files, and the CMFR were critical of the Duterte administration from day one BECAUSE they receive funding from the NED. Many have been critical of Duterte since day one and it has nothing to do with the CIA. On the contrary it has to do with his constantly foul mouth, his disdain for human rights, his disdain for the constitution, his flirtation with martial law and revolutionary government, his bloody drug war which has killed thousands, his unwillingness to stand up to China in regards to the WPS, and his willingness to shuffle around the cabinet his friends who are tainted with corruption. Can TP pull up a single article from Rappler, the PCIJ, Vera Files, and the CMFR that is critical of Duterte and is wholly without basis and is outright slander? Can he pull up any article that is written at the direction of the CIA or promotes American foreign policy? If he can then Duterte should sue for libel. But he has not done so because such articles do not exist.
TP is not alone in his criticism of these organisations receiving funding from CIA fronts. Bob Tiglao, a man who has praised TP for being part of "a new breed of real investigative reporters" had this to say about the NED:
THE National Endowment For Democracy (NED), accused of being a channel for Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) propaganda and destabilization operations in Eastern Europe and elsewhere, has stepped up its funding for three local media outfits that have been publishing articles in the Internet very critical of President Duterte and his administration.
These media outfits getting substantial amounts from NED are the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), and Vera Files.
Even if NED wasn’t a CIA conduit, it is an institution funded by the US government, and therefore advances US interests. Shouldn’t we be outraged that the US government is funding anti-Duterte media outfits here?
https://www.manilatimes.net/cia-conduit-funding-anti-duterte-media-outfits/355377/Bob does mention Rappler saying:
PCIJ, Vera, and CMFR appear to be 90 percent funded by foreign entities, while Rappler, about 50 percent.He offers no proof for these allegations.
Bob ends his piece with this:
They claim to be objective, but any casual reading of the posts of these outfits will show beyond any doubt that they are merely following the agenda of the Yellow Cult based on that worn-out EDSA playbook: To demonize Duterte so much for public outrage to unseat him. That they are funded by an alleged CIA conduit is huge slap on our nation, and my profession.He fails to provide any post or article to verify his statement that the goal of these groups is to demonise Duterte in a bid to unseat him.
Now let me be real clear here. I am not apologising for these organisations. I am not excusing anyone for receiving funding from CIA front organisations. I am not apologising for the CIA. I am not denying that the CIA as well as other spy organisations such as Mossad regularly and clandestinely interfere in the affairs of foreign governments. I am not denying that the CIA is involved in shenanigans in the Philippines. What I am questioning is the conclusion of TP that BECAUSE these four groups receive funding from the NED they are thus critical of the Duterte administration. TP has not provided a shred of evidence to back up that assertion.
In a follow-up post focusing exclusively on the funding of Vera Files which he claims receive more than 50% of their funding from CIA fronts TP writes:
That is, NED and TAF tripled Vera Files’ revenues starting in 2016 which, by the way, is the same year President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office.
This is especially relevant in Vera Files context because the Duterte Administration, i.e. the government of the jurisdiction within which Vera Files operates, is currently clashing with US Foreign Policy as Duterte’s independent foreign policy “upends Washington’s Pivot to Asia”.
http://www.thinkingpinoy.net/2019/04/fact-checking-fact-checker-over-50-of.htmlAgain Duterte's foreign policy is pretty scattershot but it is by no means one that clashes with the US as the US remains intimately involved with this nation especially in a defence capacity. It's a bit hard to ferret out what he is getting at in this article because he doesn't make any bold or snarky claims but it seems that his point is that Vera Files is critical of the Duterte administration BECAUSE they receive funding from CIA linked organisations. He does not provide a shred of proof for that accusation. Basically all he does in this follow-up article is detail Vera Files funding and the reader is supposed to be shocked and think Vera Files is a CIA front doing the bidding of the CIA. It is a classic case of guilt by association.
What is TP's real goal? Because he fails to discuss all the other groups receiving funding from the NED, much more substantial funding, I think all he wants to do is muckrake. He is a muckraker not interested in truth for truth's sake. He only wants to unmask Duterte's detractors. That is exactly why Bob Tiglao praised him. If he were interested in truth for truth's sake he would discuss the CIPE, INCITEgov, and IRI and investigate just how the CIA is using those groups to subvert the Philippines and promote US foreign policy. Heck if he were really interested in truth he would investigate prior knowledge and intelligence failures in the lead up to the Marawi siege which information I have repeatedly posted on his FB page and Twitter feed. No one, not even Rappler, wants to touch the subject of Marawi prior knowledge.
But that is TP for you. What else can you expect from a guy who was tapped by the AFP to give a presentation on "The Power of Social Media in Influencing Perception?"
Sounds like TP knows a thing or two about psyops. Perhaps he is one.
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