Anti-terror law group to hold online gab on National Heroes’ Day

The Ilonggos Against Terrorism Act (IMATA) invites Ilonggos to attend an online forum via Zoom on Aug 29, 2020 as a way of commemorating this year’s National Heroes Day.

IMATA is a group formed by Ilonggo professionals and organizations who are active in the social movement circle.

The online forum will start at 1 pm with the theme “Demokrasya kag Kahilwayan Tindogan! Angay sang mga Baganihan sa Kasaysayan.”

The speakers in the online forum are Senator Francis Pangilinan, former Magdalo representative Gary Alejano, De La Salle University College of Law Dean and former senatorial candidate Chel Diokno, and Monsignor Meliton Oso of the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center (JASAC).

The resource persons will talk about the move for charter change, the Anti-Terror Law, Death Penalty and relevant laws at the Senate.

The forum reactors are Iloilo Board Member Jason Gonzales on governance; Boyet Areno for civil society; Dr. Kristin Trenas for the health sector, Elmer Forro for social movements; Melvin Purzuelo on environment and climate change; and Josh Serilo representing the youth.

The online forum is open to the public and will be shared live on the Facebook page of IMATA at https://www.facebook.com/PamatokanTerrorAct/

The National Heroes Day is a regular annual in the Philippines and commemorated every last Monday of August.

“The hard-fought freedoms by our heroes and modern-day martyrs are disregarded by the present administration by asserting a 16-million vote mandate to legitimize many anti-people actions. This is made clearer by new laws, policies, and ordinances and manifested by the manner that the Covid-19 pandemic is being (mis)managed,” the group said.

“The gains that we now enjoy like freedom and democracy were fought for with blood and life of our heroes like Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Gabriela Silang, Teresa Magbanua, and the WWII guerillas and veterans. Much recent in our history are the Filipino youth who fought against the Marcos dictatorship in what was dubbed as the First Quarter Storm of the 70s. This was followed by the martyrdom of Ninoy Aquino and which immortalized by the peaceful EDSA People Power Revolt in the 80s.”

“Many fights followed suit which brought down elected leaders and installed new ones in the 90s and 2000s,” it added.

“We believe that there is a need to find a sense from all of these and to remember the struggles that our heroes and martyrs went through for us to enjoy the freedom that we have today. The National Heroes Day is a fitting remembrance if only to inspire us to become more vigilant of our freedom and to exercise active citizenship.”