In the home city of President Duterte, two different programs were held with different themes on the commemoration of the 122nd Independence Day.
International lawyers groups call on Duterte to veto anti-terrorism bill
“We, the undersigned lawyers and legal organizations from around the world, write to express our deepest concern and consternation about the Anti-Terrorism Bill, also known as House Bill 6875 and Senate Bill 1093, which was apparently passed by a virtual vote in Congress and now transmitted to President Duterte to sign into law,” the groups said in the letter, dated June 11.
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Assert our national freedom and the people’s democratic rights!
Migrante-Europe joins the Filipino people in remembering today the Proclamation of Philippine Independence 122 years ago by collectively asserting the freedom to assembly, freedom of expression; the rights to social and health care and job security; and the freedom from hunger, fear and terror in the midst of pandemic.
The Philippines is once again at a turning point of history. The silence of the Philippine government officials on issues concerning China in the West Philippine Sea and the temporary stoppage in implementation of termination of Visiting Forces Agreement between the United States of America and the Philippines are contradictory to the principles of our national heroes who fought and died for our national freedom and sovereignty. Migrante-Europe will struggle together with various sectors of our society to oppose the subjugation of our nation and its people to foreign powers in our own country!
The Philippine government’s approach against the spread of COVID19 has become the world’s longest lockdown that was strictly and unequally implemented against the poor majority-many of whom were arrested and jailed while helping others and demanding the promised government food and financial assistance, compared to those violators of quarantine guidelines and health protocols who are in the powers-that-be, where the law is replaced by compassion and padrino-system. Migrante-Europe together with the oppressed and deprived will not allow that our nation and its people perpetually ruled by the economically and politically privileged-few!
While around the globe the medical and health professionals are trying hard to find treatment and vaccine to the unseen enemy, the real enemy of the Filipino people was unmasked in the House of Representatives and the Senate with the passing of the Anti-Terror Bill in a very urgent manner as requested by the President. When enacted into law, this jurisprudence shall become a weapon of the Duterte government to instill fear and terror to the people demanding public accountability. With this law in effect, the people struggling for land, food, jobs and housing; basic social services and democratic rights; national sovereignty and territorial integrity shall become easy target of persecution. Civil rights shall be trampled as dissent and assertion of rights shall be deemed as terrorist activity and mere suspicion of being terrorist will be the basis for 14 days plus 10 days of detention without being charged in court. Migrante-Europe together with various democratic and people’s organizations will strongly oppose that the military becomes supreme over civilian authority!
Indeed, the Philippines is once again in the turning point of history and Migrante-Europe will actively participate in the struggle of the Filipino people to regain its freedom and democratic rights.
Marlon Lacsamana
General Secretary
Migrante-Europe
June 12, 2020
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Mga Migrante at Sambayanang Pilipino Magkaisa, Labanan ang Anti-Terrorism Act (HB6875)
Hunyo 12, 2020
Mahigpit na kinokondena ng UMANGAT-MIGRANTE ang kontrobersyal na pagpapasa sa kongreso ng Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
Nakapangigilabot at nakagagalit ang tinuran ng pangulo ng senado na hindi na kailangan ng martial law kung maipasa ang Anti- Terrorism Bill.
Ang batas na ito ang tunay na terorismo. Terorismo laban sa mga mahihirap at kritiko ng gubyerno. Terorismo laban sa mga mamamayang naghahangad ng pagbabago sa lipunan na lipos ng kabulukan, di-pagkakapantay, at pasismo.
Alam ng rehimeng US-Duterte na kahaharapin nito anumang panahon ang galit ng taumbayan kaya inihanda nito ang kanyang sandata para busalan ang bibig ng mga mamamayang nakikibaka para sa kanilang mga lehitimong mga karapatan.
Tinaguriang “urgent“ ng pangulo ang nasabing terror bill na niratsada naman sa senado at kongreso, isinantabi ang pangangailangan ng deliberasyon upang masusing talakayin, suriin at pagpasyahan ang nilalaman ng panukalang batas. Masaklaw, walang parametro at bukas-sa-maraming-interpretasyon ang depinisyon ng “terorismo” sa nasabing panukalang batas.
Pwedeng iklasipika na terorismo ang mga aktibidad na gumagambala, nag-aantala o nagdudulot ng “masamang epekto” sa normal na takbo ng bansa. Sa ganitong klasipikasyon, ang mga sama-samang pagkilos ng mga mamamayan gaya ng piket, welga o demonstrasyon ay maaaring ikunsiderang akto ng terorismo. Maging ang pagpapapahayag ng pagtutol o pagkadiskuntento sa pamahalaan sa anumang kaparaanan ay maaaring ikunsiderang krimen.
Ang sinumang pinaghihinalaan ay maaring pasubaybayan, makinig sa mga pribadong usapan kahit pa sa internet o social media at maaaring arestuhin kahit walang “warrant of arrest” at makulong ng 14 o 24 araw at maari pang patagalin.
Ilan lamang ito sa mga nakakapangilabot at magiging dagdag na pasakit sa mga mamamayang Pilipino kung kayat nararapat tayong Magkaisa at sama-samang Labanan ang nasabing anti terror bill.
IBASURA ang Anti-Terror Law!
LABANAN ang de Facto Martial Law!
Pasismo ng Estado BIGUIN, Duterte PATALSIKIN!
Karapatan, Tunay na kalayaan, at Demokrasya, ipaglaban!
Itigil ang terorismo laban sa mamamayan!
IBAGSAK ang pasistang diktadurang US-Duterte!
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#GrandMañanita | Critics of anti-terror bill stage party-themed protest
Despite warnings from Malacañang that joining protest is still prohibited, thousands braved the rains and joined the party-themed protest against the anti-terror bill.
By REIN TARINAY
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — Party hats, balloons, cake, roses and a karaoke machine. These are not the typical things you see in a protest.
Today, as the Philippines marks the 122nd Independence day, protesters braved the rains for the ‘Grand Mañanita,’ a sarcastic take on Metro Manila police chief Debold Sinas’s birthday party which violated quarantine protocols.
Thousands occupied the University Avenue at University of the Philippines Diliman. Some of the protesters wore party hats. Others brought roses and balloons. Like a real party, ice cream, bread and donuts were given free.
Unlike Sinas’ mananita, however, physical distancing was strictly observed. Some of the organizers distributed face masks, face shields, alcohol and sanitizer.
One of the highlights of the program was the speech of artist Mae Paner who impersonated Sinas. She told the crowd, “Kayo ang laging nasa isip ng presidente. Nanginginig na siyang pumirma sa anti-terror bill.” (The President thinks about you all the time. He is aching to sign the anti-terror bill)
Protesters replied with a resounding boo.
Lita Malundras, one of the ten volunteers arrested in Marikina on May 1, also spoke at the protest.
Malundras said they were feeding families of drivers and construction workers when they were arrested and detained. “Hindi kami kriminal. Hindi krimen ang pagpapakain sa komunidad na nagugutom.” (We are not criminals. It is not a crime to feed the hungry.)
When internet sensation Aling Marie, or Marie Dinglasan, went on stage, the young ones were all ears. “Di ko man kayo anak, kayo ay aking kakulay. Manahin ninyo ang mga tapang ng nakatatanda laban sa kasamaan. Kaya ang aking masasabi, ibagsak ang terror bill; ibasura at huwag hayaang maipasa,” she said.
(You may not be my children but we belong to the same race. I hope you inherit the courage of those who came before you, in the fight against evil. All I can say is, junk terror bill; junk it and don’t let it get enacted.)
Aling Marie, a store owner who became popular due to her response to die-hard Duterte supporters, delivered her iconic declaration at the protest, “Hindi ako dilaw. Hindi ako pula. Hindi rin ako puti. Kayumanggi ako.” (I am not yellow. I am not red. I am not white. I am brown)
In his speech, Bayan Muna Chairperson Neri Colmenares, said the anti-terror bill will be used against political dissenters and ordinary citizens airing their grievances to the government.
For first-time protester Rus, 21, participating in an offline protest is important when the people’s freedom is under threat.
“Tatlong buwan na akong nagpprotesta online pero parang hindi rin naman nakikinig ang mga nasa gobyerno sa mga hinaing ng mga tao e. (For three months I have been protesting online but people in government don’t seem to listen to the demands of the people) So it’s better to take it to the streets.”
Rus said he feels empowered being with fellow protesters, chanting and raising their fists. “Sa kabila ng pandemya, hindi pa rin tayo natakot na ipaglaban ang karapatan at kalayaan natin.” (Even during this time of pandemic, we are not afraid to fight for our rights and our freedom)
Outside UP campus, policemen in fatigue uniform set up checkpoints. Just yesterday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra warned people against joining rallies.
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Anti-Terrorism Bill Silences Dissent, Curtails Democratic Rights
The rights
and freedoms enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution was a result of the
Filipino people’s struggles, continuing the long heritage of protests and
revolts that helped shape our country today, as we celebrate our 122nd
Independence Day.
Thus, amid
the current challenges facing Filipino educators nationwide, we cannot simply
stay silent or neutral as increased ranks of Filipinos call for the junking of
the Anti-Terrorism Bill. When it is not only us but our children’s and
students’ rights and freedoms that are at stake, we stand in unison in opposing
a more draconian version of the Human Security of Act of 2007 and in defending
the values and principles that our ancestors have fought for.
Moreover, we challenge
the President to take the high ground and veto the Anti-Terrorism Bill,
especially amid an ongoing health and humanitarian crisis brought by COVID-19
and an impending economic recession.
We are aware of counter-protest voices saying that law-abiding and
responsible Filipino citizens need not worry about the Anti-Terrorism Law since
it is intended only for terrorists and those who threaten peace and order and
national security.
But as teachers and as Filipino citizens, we are also aware how
law-abiding and responsible Filipino citizens have been branded by authorities
as “terrorists” and threats to public safety because they decide to practice
their rights and freedoms to air grievances, call out actions on government
inefficiencies, and to express their political stands as a result of their
experiences and contexts. To be law-abiding and responsible is to essentially
love your country by exercising your rights and freedoms especially to decry
injustice, deception and abuses of power.
Our ancestors have sacrificed hugely to fight for the democracy
and independence our nation deserves, to be enjoyed by all Filipinos, whether
they are supportive of a current administration or are critical of it.
But with terrorism being used as a pretext, our lawmakers have
crafted a new bill that broadens who can be declared a terrorist, not only
proscribed but designated by an executive body without due process. Anybody can
be arrested on mere suspicion alone, or the perception of “intent.” The
exercise of constitutional rights such as free speech and assembly can be
considered as terrorist acts.
We see through the pretext and understand that the bill targets
unrelenting government critics with harassment, surveillance, warrantless
arrests and detention – all these while some government officials are being
excused from following their very own policies and laws.
It is ironic that an administration fixated on a more draconian
law against “terrorism” itself remains answerable to the people for its own
acts of terrorism – in its costly war on drugs that has left mostly poor
individuals dead, in its attacks on Lumad communities fighting for their
ancestral land and right to education, in its treatment of media institutions
critical of its policies, and even in the violent pronouncements of the
President to State-sponsored rights violations against certain sectors and
civil society.
Achieving genuine peace and order and national security does not require a new law that would infringe on the people’s rights and freedoms, but the strengthening of our institutions and the effective implementation of programs that respond to the needs of communities and not of a few.
On this day June 12th, we again celebrate how revolutionaries established the first Philippine Republic in 1898. It was not a product of an anti-terror law or conservative local forces staying silent or conniving with the oppressors. It was a result of Filipinos staking their lives through struggle so future Filipinos will not live under repression. They began the revolution by speaking out despite huge odds, and bravely fighting for the country’s freedom. Such heroism is what an anti-terror law will destroy.
Open letter: Over 100 international lawyers and lawyers’ associations urge: No to Philippines Anti-Terrorism Bill
June 11, 2020 Dear President Rodrigo Duterte, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, and members of the Congress of the Philippines: We, the undersigned lawyers and legal organizations from around the world, write to express our deepest concern and consternation about the Anti-Terrorism Bill, also known as House Bill 6875 and Senate Bill 1093, which was apparently […]
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Duterte delays speech to avoid announcing signing of anti-terrorism bill into law, sending more people to the June 12 protest
Just line in past weeks, the people are expecting President Rodrigo Duterte to make the address the nation on Thursday night, which happens to be June 11, on the eve of the nation’s commemoration of independence day. Or maybe his pre-recorded speech will be broadcast the following morning. But this is not on the schedule, […]
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