Renewed Push to Repeal Anti-Terrorism Act
Five years after the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 was enacted, the Makabayan bloc has reignited efforts to repeal the controversial law. The group filed House Bill No. 1272 in the 20th Congress, aiming to dismantle Republic Act No. 11479, citing its use as a tool against government critics.
Makabayan lawmakers, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co, condemned the law for being “weaponized against critics, activists, journalists, teachers, students, indigenous peoples, and ordinary citizens who dare to speak truth to power.” They recalled the chilling effect the law has had on free speech and civil liberties, noting the unjust detentions, surveillance, harassment, and even killings linked to its enforcement.
Vague Definitions Fuel Abuse
The lawmakers highlighted that the Anti-Terrorism Act’s vague definition of terrorism has enabled authorities to arbitrarily label individuals and groups as terrorists. This broad scope has suppressed dissent and criminalized legitimate calls for social justice and freedom.
“For five years, the Terror Law has been used to criminalize dissent and suppress legitimate struggles for justice, freedom, and genuine social change,” they stated. “Its broad and vague definition has allowed state forces to arbitrarily tag individuals and organizations as ‘terrorists,’ undermining the work of human rights defenders, journalists, teachers, students, and grassroots organizers.”
Echoing Victims’ Calls for Justice
The Makabayan bloc expressed solidarity with families of victims such as Japer Gurung and Junior Ramos, Aeta farmers wrongfully detained and tortured under the law, and remembered activists like Zara Alvarez and Randy Echanis, who were slain amid a climate of state violence.
Gurung and Ramos were arrested in August 2020, accused of attacking military personnel. They were later acquitted by an Olongapo court due to insufficient evidence and flawed identification. The Public Attorney’s Office pointed out the lack of positive identification and the questionable seizure of firearms allegedly linked to them.
Makabayan emphasized that ensuring public peace and security should not come at the cost of human rights. They urged Congress to support the immediate repeal of the law, arguing that true peace stems from addressing poverty, inequality, and social unrest rather than repression.
Legal Challenges and Supreme Court Rulings
Passed on June 3, 2020, and signed into law a month later, the Anti-Terrorism Act faced opposition even before its enactment. Progressive groups feared it would be used to stifle legitimate dissent and filed multiple petitions challenging its constitutionality.
In December 2021, the Supreme Court declared parts of the law unconstitutional, specifically sections of Section 4 and Section 25. These sections included provisions that were deemed too broad and infringed on freedom of expression, particularly those relating to protests and civil rights actions.
Despite these rulings, critics argue that significant portions of the law that threaten civil liberties remain intact. Supporters, including Senator Panfilo Lacson, viewed the court’s decision as a partial victory that still upholds the law’s goal of maintaining peace.
For more news and updates on the Anti-Terrorism Act, visit Filipinokami.com.