Around 5,000 marched in the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman on December 10 to mark the International Human Rights Day. Protesters condemned the Supreme Court decision on December 7 which upheld majority of the provisions of the Anti-Terror Law (ATL) despite numerous petitions calling for the junking of the law.
Before the march, the petitioners’ lawyers held a press conference at the university. They expressed their dismay over the Supreme Court decision upholding the ATL except for two minor provisions. The court struck down a part of Section 4 for being “violative of freedom of expression,” and the Section 25 which allows the Anti-Terrorism Council to designate groups as terrorists per request by other jurisdictions or supranational jurisdictions.
“We don’t have a win there,” said Atty. Evalyn Ursua, one the petitioners’ lawyers, pertaining to two small provisions declared “unconstitutional” by the court. She said that there are more provisions which are far more dangerous and should have been nullified by the Supreme Court. These include the overbroad definition of “terrorism,” the absolute powers given to the Anti-Terrorism Council, detention without charges of suspected terrorists for up to 24 days, unilateral freezing of bank accounts without due process, and many others. “The entire law should have been voided,” said Rep. Edcel Lagman.
During the march after the press conference, the rallyists called the Duterte-Marcos tandem a “terror team” which is set to sow terror across the country. “
“The Filipino people have suffered six years of state terror, violence, and repression,” said Cristina Palabay of Karapatan. “We cannot let another six years of the same deadly campaign to continue.”
Similar protests were also mounted in other parts of the country. In Baguio City, rallyists marched from Session Road to Malcolm Square where a program was held. Activists and their supporters also rallied in Naga City, along with their supporters from other districts of Camarines Sur. In Cebu City, progressive groups mounted a picket in front of the headquarters of the Philippine National Police Region 8 at Osmeña Boulevard before heading to Colon St. In Bacolod, Negrenses marched from Lupit Church to the Bacolod Plaza. In Panay, an activity was held at the Sunburst Plaza in Iloilo City. Progressives also held a program in Davao City.
Various forms of protests were also mounted across the country. Students of the Central Luzon State University held a candle-lighting ceremony in front of the university on December 9. In Tumauini, Isabela, peasant organizations Amihan and Dagami filed a petition for the local government to probe into abuses perpetrated by the 95th IB and 86th IB.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/12/24/international-human-rights-day-groups-oppose-court-decision-upholding-atl/
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