On July 18, progressive organizations from Cavite held a protest in Pala-Pala, Dasmariñas to denounce the first day controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 became effective. The groups, helmed by BAYAN Cavite, condemned the violent arrest of 11 who protested the law in Cabuyao, Laguna on July 4.
Majority of those who joined the protest are from the youth sector, who questioned why the government focused pass the “unconstitutional measure” than paying attention to give concrete plans to curb the rise of COVID-19 cases in the country that has breached 65,000, as well as develop, implement and inform the people of concrete plans for the nation’s recovery, such as the opening of classes.
They denounced the law as “draconian” law and will increase human rights violations, red-tagging on activists, critics, and even ordinary citizens, such as those who were arrested during the lockdown because they had an unpleasant thing or two to say about Duterte and other government officials on social media.
Despite the series of protests and public clamor against the “terror bill,” President Rodrigo Duterte went on to sign the measure into law on July 3, only days before it lapsed into law if he did not act on it.
They called on the government to dismiss the cases against 11 who protested in Cabuyao, who they insisted were illegally arrested and detained at the Cabuyao police station. Two out of the 11 arrested have since tested positive for COVID-19.
The groups also condemned how amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued rise in cases, the government has gone on to shutdown the country’s biggest broadcast network ABS-CBN.
The protest coincided with the nationwide caravan and noise barrage calling to bring ABS-CBN back on air.
