Groups mark anti-terror law anniversary

By Juliane Judilla

Various human rights groups, civil society organizations, cause-oriented groups, and advocates gathered in Iloilo City on Thursday, July 3, to mark the sixth anniversary of the Anti-Terrorism Act and renew calls for stronger protections for civil liberties and human rights.

The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 was signed into law by former President Rodrigo Duterte on July 3, 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since its enactment, the law has drawn criticism from rights advocates who said it has been used to suppress dissent and target activists under the guise of combating terrorism.

During the forum, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers lawyer Angelo Karlo Guillen discussed key provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act and cited cases filed against activists and development workers under the law.

Guillen argued that the law has affected not only activists and human rights defenders but also the communities they serve.

“Ang mayor nga gakaapektuhan sang law (ATL) hindi lang mga aktibista or mga human rights defenders kundi ang mga communities nga ginaalagaran sini,” Guillen said.

He added that in many cases where the Anti-Terrorism Act has been invoked, allegations were based on what he described as trumped-up charges or planted evidence.

Participants from different organizations also shared experiences on the alleged impact of the law on grassroots communities.

Kim-Sin Tugna of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Aklan said intensified state attacks in the province began with the implementation of Civil Military Operations in Kalibo.

Tugna said military personnel labeled communities as “recruitment grounds” and accused leaders of organizations such as Kadamay, Pamalakaya, and Anakbayan of recruiting members for armed groups.

Lucia Capaducio of Paghugpong sang mga Mangunguma sa Panay kag Guimaras shared cases that she said showed how the Anti-Terrorism Act has been used to weaken the peasant movement.

Among the incidents she cited was the case of German Allesa, an active member of Asosasyon sang mga Mangunguma sa Maasin, KAPAWA-Maasin, and PAMANGGAS.

Capaducio said the organizations advocate agrarian reform, peasant rights, and environmental protection.

Capaducio also recalled the killing of nine Tumandok leaders in the early hours of Dec. 30, 2020, and the arrest of 16 others on what she described as trumped-up charges.

Reacting to the discussions, Jonnie Dabuco of the Commission on Human Rights Region VI stressed the need for stronger safeguards in implementing the Anti-Terrorism Act.

“We need stronger safeguards,” Dabuco said, adding that the law has become “a blatant example of how the state weaponizes the law in vilifying and maligning human rights defenders and organizations.”

The forum concluded with a declaration of unity calling for the protection of human rights and the promotion of people’s welfare.

The groups called for the repeal of the Anti-Terrorism Act, the passage of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill, the blocking of the Terror Grooming Prevention Bill, the revocation of the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace and Development, and the abolition of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

The participating groups also gave the Marcos administration a “failing grade” on its human rights record ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address on July 27.

Marcos is expected to outline his administration’s accomplishments and policy directions during the annual address.

Progressive organizations also announced that they will hold a People’s SONA on the same day to present what they described as the people’s assessment of the administration and the country’s pressing issues.