Philippines "offensive" exhibition closed

In an update to the threat of legal action against an art exhibition in the Philippines (reported here), the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has now closed the show further following a number of threats and vandalism. Its statement noted that:

"Due to numerous emails, text messages and other letters sent to various offficers of the CCP, and to the artists themselves, with an increasing number of threats to persons and property, the members of the Board of the Cultural Center of the Philippines have decided to close down the Main Gallery where the Kulo Exhibit is on display. This decision was made amidst controversy and deliberation by the Board as to what steps are necessary to avoid future similar incidents."

Philippine President Benigno Aquino is reported to have called the CCP and told them that he too opposed the artwork: "I did stress the idea that there are rights but if those rights hurt the rights of others, there is something wrong and that is not covered by the law. I reminded them that there is no freedom that is absolute," he said.

So there you have it, freedom of expression is guaranteed by law, but not all expression is free.