‘Mañanita’ protest against Anti-Terrorism Bill

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Cause-oriented groups in Panay will join the nationwide “Mañanita” protest on Friday in celebration of the Independence Day and to call for the junking of the anti-terrorism bill that awaits President Duterte’s signature.

The protest dubbed as “Mañanita Kontra Terorismo” is headed by Movement Against Tyranny Panay in coalition with the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center, Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Promotion of Church People’s Response, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Panay, Makabayan Coalition, All UP Academic Employees Union, and Youth Act Now Against Tyranny.

According to the alliance, the bill will only endanger the country by putting too much power on the executive branch of the government.

“Our country is currently facing the dangers of the anti-terrorism bill. The bill aims to give the executive branch of the government powers that undermine our fundamental right to free speech, right to peacefully assemble, the right to petition the government to redress of grievances, privacy of our communication, and right to due process.”

“The anti-terrorism bill of 2020 will further empower a president who has no qualms in disregarding due process, openly attacks and demonize his critics, and enables extra-judicial killings,” the group added.

The group also expressed frustration on the House of Representatives and the Senate who prioritized the bill over the urgent needs of the people amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

“We are frustrated that amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the House of Representatives and the Senate prioritized this repressive bill over the urgent needs of the people for additional financial support to those affected by the lockdown after more than two months, acquiring more test kits and establishing more testing laboratories, upgrading hospital facilities, and providing adequate support for our health workers, and facilitating the safe and systematic return of OFWs and locally stranded individuals, among others.”

All over the country, it is expected that thousands of cause-oriented groups, organizations, and individuals will participate in the “Grand Mañanita Protest” on Independency Day to show opposition against the anti-terrorism bill and persuade public officials to withdraw their support.

In Panay, the “Mañanita Kontra Terorismo” movement will start 1 pm with a public forum on the Anti-Terrorism Bill at the Little Theater of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) Iloilo City Campus to be followed by a short protest program at the Oblation grounds.

Organizers assured that the protest action will ensure the practice of physical distancing and participants will wear personal protective equipment.