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As a criminal statute, the Anti-Terrorism Act bill awaiting President Duterte’s action ought to be clearly and precisely written so that “it can give adequate guidance to those concerned,” but it is “hard to understand.” Moreover, the bill heightens international...
Ni BOYET DE MESA Naglunsad ng apat na performance solidarity event ang Solidarity in Performance Art Festival (SIPAF) nitong lockdown: #Ekinoks (Marso 20, 2020), #Igpaw: Solidarity in Performance for Health Workers, (Abril 8 ), #MaAyo Uno, Solidarity performance...
“Worrisome are the expanded and vague definitions of a “terrorist;” the powers given to the Anti-Terror Council to designate a group as a “terrorist group;” the weakening of the protection of one’s privacy and the safeguards against arrests and detention without warrants.”
“With the fast-tracking of the bill, graver human rights violations among IPs and farmers are expected, especially for groups who are known for their valiant opposition of destructive projects like Chico River dams back in the ‘70s. For so long, Cordillera has been...
Fast track this to the current Duterte regime and the Filipino artists, in the mainstream or alternative circles, continue to fight for causes, even at the risk of being red-tagged and branded a “terrorist”. They have lent their names and influence and, whenever necessary, appeared in media or in crowds to fight for democracy and justice, very recently against the so-called Anti-Terrorism Bill which could be worse than martial law. In a way they have become idols of resistance, raising the awareness of their fans and encouraging them to fight for their own rights as citizens.
"It is very alarming that the (Philippine police) continues to fail as a good example of a gender-sensitive institution.”
In their tens of millions, the workers, peasants and the lower middle class are hungry and angry at the Duterte regime and are eager to move against it. The professionals and entrepreneurs have been deprived of income and have fallen into debt and bankruptcy and are ready to join the toiling masses in concerted actions to protest and make demands. Even the big compradors and landlords who are not his close collaborators now consider him a plague worse than the COVID-19 virus.
“Allowing this administration, the added leeway and greater authority that come with a newer, more oppressive anti-terrorism law would open the floodgates to graver forms of abuses. The dangers that come with the Anti-Terrorism Bill are all too real to be ignored, and we cannot and should not wait until the final nail in the coffin has been hammered down.”
Despite warnings from Malacañang that joining protest is prohibited, thousands braved the rains and joined the party-themed protest against the anti-terror bill.
The very act of spreading fear reveals this administration's fear of the power of the people.
"Keep on posting. Keep on protesting. Focus on the goals: #JunkTerrorBill #FreeMassTesting #DefendPressFreedom."
NUPL-Cebu said the arrest of the Cebu 8 bolsters the call for the junking of the anti-terror bill.
Who have been declared “communist-terrorists” by state security forces and the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict? Practically all sectoral organizations advocating for reforms and genuine change. They did not spread terror or cause panic among the public but called on the government to act on legitimate demands of ordinary citizens.
Hundreds of students and activists held a protest inside UP-Cebu grounds to call for the junking of Anti-Terror Bill but policemen forcibly entered the campus and arrested seven protesters.
The report also noted that the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act which replaces the Human Security Act of 2007 “dilutes human rights safeguards, broadens the definition of terrorism and expands the period of detention without warrant from three to 14 days,...
"Only cowards are afraid of dissent.”
While we all agree that the fight against terrorism is important and needs the participation and cooperation of everyone, we maintain that the proposed law is open to abuse by despotic governments to visit terror against critics and the people in general.
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