The usually unified activist circles online are now divided over calls to ban rapper Gloc-9 from future performances at the University of the Philippines (UP) Fair after posters condemning the Marcoses and Dutertes were reportedly removed ahead of his set. The posters at the UP Fair bore the slogans “Duterte Panagutin! Marcos Singilin!” and were allegedly taken down at the request of Gloc-9’s camp, sparking backlash from some progressive individuals. Digital creator Jong Juguilon, among the loudest voices behind the trending hashtag #BanGloc9, argued that the artist’s fame may have made him too cautious about political affiliations. “Kung ako yung kasama sa night na nasa line up si Gloc-9, hindi ko na pinagperform yan,” Juguilon posted on Facebook, criticizing the supposed conditions tied to Gloc-9’s performance. His post has been shared over 1,000 times. He also contrasted Gloc-9’s current demands with the early days of the UP Fair, when artists often performed pro bono in support of activist causes. “Pero nung sumikat na, hindi mo na mahagilap,” Juguilon added. But not everyone agrees with the calls to cancel the rapper. Renowned activist and writer Katrina Stuart Santiago took to Facebook to clarify the context of the incident. She said Gloc-9 himself did not order the removal of the posters, and that the request came from his management on behalf of younger rappers performing on a different day. Organizers voluntarily complied, and the situation was misrepresented, Santiago added. “To be clear, he didn’t ask that it be done,” she said. “Had he performed with that banner on stage, what he would be receiving is the same kind of hate—this time from Duterte and Marcos supporters.” Ana Patricia Non, known for initiating the community pantry movement during the pandemic, also defended Gloc-9. She pointed out the rapper’s long history of supporting progressive causes, including endorsements of Bayan Muna’s Neri Colmenares and the Kabataan party-list. “People seem to forget that this is still his livelihood,” Non said, noting the risks involved if Gloc-9 is perceived as politically partisan. “We oppose Tokhang, but we’re quick to ‘cancel’ someone and take away their career without fully understanding the situation.” Despite the online noise, Gloc-9 has yet to issue a public statement on the matter. No related posts found.