Four years after its enactment, the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA) has been used as a weapon against human rights defenders and non-government organizations. In this episode of Teka, Sandali, we explore how the ATA, alongside the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 is being wielded by the state to stifle dissent.
Like fishermen struggling in the waters of the open sea after the capsizing of their boats, human rights workers are crying out to be rescued from the Philippine government’s apparent determination to stop them from carry out their legitimate, and necessary, work.
“We would like to state that the dismissal [of the charges] is further proof that protest is never, and should not be, a crime.”
“It appears that the NTF-ELCAC is using its powers to protect key economic interests in the country. This has nothing to do with anti-terrorism or anti-communism. The gross overreaction to people trying to defend their right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is totally unacceptable.”
At least 98 activists, humanitarian and church workers are facing Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 charges according to Karapatan. They described these laws as “twin terror laws” that are being used against activists, humanitarian workers and those who serve the welfare of the marginalized.
“At the outset, I must put on record that I am a development worker. I am not hiding in the mountains of the Sierra Madre and I was not, in any way, involved in the alleged encounter between the alleged members of the NPA and the complainants,” her counter affidavit read.
The resolutions against the two women NDFP consultants and the revolutionary groups were issued soon after the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration and the NDFP issued a joint statement on Nov. 28, 2023 declaring their intention to pursue the peace talks.
The warning declared by various groups in 2020 – that the ATA would be used by the government to intimidate and harass human rights defenders, activists and dissenters – has become a reality.
“I call on the Philippine government to respect this right and establish a truth reconciliation process to investigate the unlawful killings by the military, hold those accountable for these killings and provide reparations for those who suffered.”
A people’s counter-SONA protest action, noticeably broader and bigger than that of the previous year, presaged bigger and broader protests during Marcos Jr’s second year in Malacañang.
“While we at CPA continue to seek legal remedies to ensure our safety, security, and human rights in this shrinking democratic space, the state also weaponizes everything at its disposal to silence us.”