Activism is not terrorism! Junk the Anti-Terror Law! Abolish the Anti-Terror Council!
Malaya Movement USA condemns in the strongest possible terms the unjust designation of 4 activists from the Cordillera People’s Alliance (CPA) as terrorists by the Anti-Terror Council (ATC). The ATC designated these individuals as terrorists without public hearing or due process in order to intimidate, harass, and suppress their critical voices into silence. The CPA and the 4 individuals have been subjected to years long harassment by state forces already. This latest attack is indicative of the worsening political repression under Marcos Jr.
In 2020, we joined the mass disapproval and criticisms of the Anti-Terrorism Law (ATL), the broad sweeping piece of legislation that vaguely defines terrorism and blatantly disregards democratic rights of Filipinos when it was railroaded by the Duterte regime. The ATL and the unvetted appointees of the ATC have effectively criminalized acts such as protecting indigenous lands, voicing criticisms for the government, and defending human rights. The ATL has legalized the dangerous and deadly act of red-tagging and these terrorist designations are nothing but a hit list for the state forces to target, vilify, and attack activists.
These fascist state policies are key threads between the Duterte administration and the current Marcos Jr. regime. It is clear that Marcos Jr. is continuing to enact Duterte’s deadliest policies like the War on Drugs and the de facto Martial Law like policies throughout the archipelago.
The Malaya Movement USA stands with the CPA, Sarah Alikes, Jennifer Awingan, Windel Bolinget and Stephen Tauli!
It must be made clear: Activism is not terrorism and defending human rights is a just cause! We call on Malaya Movement USA members and human rights advocates across the U.S to join the fight against fascism in the Philippines!
