Deaf advocates take offense at Mocha and blogger’s sign language video

An organization of deaf persons has taken offense at Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson and a blogger for mocking the sign language.

According to a tweet by GMA News' Joseph Morong, members of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFDeaf) discussed the effects of the video that has so far garnered 154,000 views on Uson's page.

"They are talking about their concern about how they're going to express themselves kasi, they don't want to look naman na as if they don't know what they are doing," a person was heard saying at a forum organized by the group in reaction to the video.

Philippine Federation of the Deaf “offended” by Asec. Mocha Uson and Drew Bolivar video mocking the sign language @gmanews pic.twitter.com/2m73L6aBLy

— Joseph Morong (@Joseph_Morong) September 17, 2018

PFDeaf, along with various members of the deaf community, expressed anger at the video with blogger Drew Olivar, who was coaxed by Uson to imitate sign language used by the hearing- and speech-impaired.

Olivar, the same blogger who did the 'ipederalismo' dance in another video by Uson, complied and made noises while Uson laughed and made comments at his side.

GMA News Online reached out to PFDeaf for their official statement.

On her Facebook page, Uson said Olivar would apologize for the video. 

PFDeaf is a member of the World Federation of the Deaf and is a non-stock, non-profit organization that aims to provide aid to deaf Filipinos. —Rie Takumi/NB/KG, GMA News