LISTEN: Dicta License’s ‘Inosenteng Bala’ is a call to stand up against tyranny

Dicta License released on Monday, September 21, a new single that tackles the country’s “moral crisis” head on. 

“Inosenteng Bala,” which was released on the same day the Philippines marks 48 years since it was placed under Martial Law during the Marcos regime, is “an anthem of the darkness that has enveloped us.”

The jazzy, deceptively easy listen asks a difficult question: What are people doing about extrajudicial killings and violence under the Duterte administration? 

“If it isn’t obvious enough, it is the bullet speaking — a tool designed for violence. And it does not want to kill anymore. It propounds questions about our methods in securing our communities. How are we responding to these methods? Are we speaking out or do we choose to remain silent? In our silence, can we consider ourselves without fault?” said frontman Pochoy Labog, also a human rights lawyer. 

The band admitted that their own safety was also a concern — a topic that Pochoy was “upfront” with everyone else, said bassist Kelley Mangahas. 

“We are in a state of confusion and eroded civic values. Like any human being, in the face of dominant powers, I am afraid. But I believe what we are doing is a calling. A duty. I always warn my bandmates of possible repercussions. Their response inspires me and drives me to do more,” explained Pochoy. 

“Part of me is afraid to speak up. But when Pochoy approached me with his ideas, I felt this was the best way I could contribute to consciousness and change. It’s scary. But there are some non-negotiable issues today that should be spoken up about,” said guitarist Boogie Romero. 

“Inosenteng Bala” is now available on streaming platforms.

You can listen to it here:

Dicta License first burst into the music scene in the mid-2000s, with the anthemic “Ang Ating Araw” from their first album Paghilom. The band, through its songs, has always been unapologetic about its politics. 

While they haven’t released a full album recently, Dicta License has continued to release singles since 2019. They earlier released “Salita” earlier in 2020.  – Rappler.com