A Thai worker in the Philippines was deported after he posted racist and anti-Filipino statements on Facebook. Many cheered the deportation but some also described it as an attack on free speech.
Prasertsri Kosin, known as Koko Narak on social media, angered many Internet users in the Philippines after he called Filipinos “pignoys”, “stupid creatures”, “low-class slum slaves” and “useless race in this world”. His insulting remarks went viral last week. Koko Narak was eventually fired from his job in Taguig City, located in the Philippines’ central business district.
The Bureau of Immigration also reacted quickly by issuing a deportation charge against the Thai national for “undesirability” over his offensive posts on Facebook. Koko Narak surrendered and opted for voluntary deportation. He was included in the agency’s blacklist, barring re-entry into the country.
A commissioner of the agency defended the deportation charge:
While the Philippines respects freedom of expression, we in the Bureau cannot tolerate or allow abusive and foul language, especially coming from foreigners as against our own people.
Before his deportation, Koko Narak wrote an apology to Filipinos:
This is my great sorrow to inform you that I am very sorry what I’ve done or posted the racist comments whether on the Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] page or my personal Facebook.
I didn’t mean to hurt your heart Filipinos. Surprisingly, most of my debates on the page hurt you because of my immaturity.
This is my sincere apology to all of you Filipinos.
Despite his apology, Koko Narak was still deported.
Meanwhile, 51 Filipino workers in Thailand signed a statement urging the Philippine government to “exercise maximum tolerance before punishing non-criminal acts of foreigners.” The statement emphasized that the deportation charge undermines the country’s commitment to protect free speech.
Full story: globalvoices.org
Written by
Mong Palatino
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