"Ako mismo ang papatay kay Duterte!"

This is the line of Rita Avila in the movie Walang Kasarian Ang Digmang Bayan (The Revolution Knows No Gender).

The political drama, which is written and directed by Jay Altarejos, was announced as one of the full-length entries of the 2020 Sinag Maynila film festival.

However, it has been confirmed that Walang Kasarian Ang Digmang Bayan is being pulled out from Sinag Maynila 2020.

The character of Rita Avila named Virgie is angry at President Rodrigo Duterte for implementing the war on drugs, which caused the death of her loved one.

In the 2:10 mark of the trailer, a clip is shown wherein Duterte is heard saying about those in the illegal drugs trade, "Papatayin kita."



ANTI-DUTERTE FILM PULLED OUT FROM SINAG MAYNILA

Walang Kasarian Ang Digmang Bayan, which tackles EJK or extra-judicial killings, was supposed to be one of the full-length entries to be screened from March 17-24, 2020.

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A publicist of the film informed PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) earlier today:

"We're [an] official Sinag Maynila's finalist. But tonight, 7pm, Sinag Maynila is making an announcement pulling our film out.

"Anti-Duterte ang film. Directed by Jay Altarejos."

During the press conference of Sinag Maynila, Direk Jay Altarejos said he was willing to share his movie for free on the Internet in case there are problems regarding the screening of Walang Kasarian Ang Digmang Bayan.

How would he react to those saying that he is using Duterte so that people will talk about his film?

"Ang ginagamit ko ang buhay natin, kumbaga ang buhay ng Pilipino," said Direk Jay during the press con of Sinag Maynila held last February 17 at the Podium.

"Hindi mawawala ang sumpa sa bayang patuloy na pinapatay ang kanyang mga anak. Wala tayong ginagawa, e! Sanay na sanay na tayo."

Is he ready in case fans of Duterte bash him for this film?

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"Okay lang yun. Yung iba naman dun hindi totoong tao. I know their language. Marunong rin ako ng salita ng mga tao. Marunong rin ako magmura ng matulong na malutong. My point is, tirahin niyo ako, I will fight back the way you do.

"Hindi na uso ngayon ang disente-disente kasi hindi naman disente ang ginagawa ng gobyerno natin."

How did he convince Rita Avila to say the controversial line "Ako mismo ang papatay kay Duterte!"?

"Professional na pakikipag-usap sa artista," he said.

Did Rita feel afraid about saying this line?

"Hindi naman pinag-usapan ang takot. Kasi precisely iyon ang gusto ng marami na maramdaman ng lahat: ang matakot. The moment na matakot tayo, hindi na tayo magsasalita.

"And we're starting to do that. It's tragic. Kailangan na natin magsalita."

What if the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) tells Direk Jay to remove the line "Ako mismo ang papatay kay Duterte!" from his movie?

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"May Internet naman, e," said Direk Jay with a smile. "Baka nga mas marami pang makapanood at libre pa.

"Ngayon, marami nang paraan. Hindi na tayo katulad dati...upload mo lang yan...kahit ako, i-upload ko yan, e."

Would he agree to remove the controversial line if the MTRCB required it?

"I don't know. Tingnan natin. Bakit ano bang masama?

"Yung presidente niyo, sinasabi araw-araw, patayin-patayin, but we don't censor that. Hinahayaan natin. Hinahayaan ng MTRCB na magmura sa TV."

Did he get assurance from Sinag Maynila that his film will indeed be shown or did he ask for protection from Sinag Maynila in case he gets backlash for his film?

"Hindi natin kailangan ng proteksiyon mula sa ibang tao. Kung anong mayroon tayo bilang mamamayan ng Pilipinas, iyon ang proteksiyon natin supposedly sa isang malaya at demokratikong society."