[PeDAGoG] Fwd: URGENT: Support needed to Junk Philippine Terror Bill

Tue Jun 9 18:24:14 CEST 2020

Dear partners, networks, friends,

We still welcome support from organizations and individuals until tomorrow,
10June at 10AM (GMT +8).

Here is the *link of the document. Please input your name/organization by
the end of the statement (click the link):*
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lh1xCBOGtRKHj-LU9igBNmxArYMrXrdmWTWsNk4Qj-A/edit

In solidarity,
Angging
*Ananeza Aban, MCD*
Senior Research Associate
Program on Alternative Development (AltDev)
University of the Philippines | Center for Integrative and Development
Studies
*Ang Bahay ng Alumni, Lower Ground Floor  *
*Magsaysay Ave., UP Diliman, Q.C. 1101  Philippines*
*Tel. nos.:  981-8500 loc. 4266-4267 & 435-9283*
*Tel. fax:  981-8500 loc. 4268 & 426-0955*

*Website: cids.up.edu.ph <http://cids.up.edu.ph>*

*Facebook page: www.facebook.com/upcids*

On Tue, Jun 9, 2020 at 10:33 AM Angging Aban <azenana at gmail.com> wrote:

> Dear colleagues, partners, friends,
>
> We urgently need your support on this statement we are circulating in
> solidarity with the Filipino people:
>
> The University of the Philippines Program on Alternative Development
> (AltDev) condemns the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill of 2020. Nothing
> but a weapon to silence criticism and dissent toward the government, the
> proposed Bill is a threat to the fundamental constitutional rights of the
> Filipino people.
>
>
>
> The Bill grants absolute power to the state and its repressive apparatuses
> such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National
> Police to violate the Philippine Constitution and human rights. It harbors
> a vague definition of terrorism which permits the malicious tagging of
> activists, critics, and organizations as affiliates of so-called terrorist
> groups.  Furthermore, the Bill undermines whatever “safeguard” it has by
> giving free rein to the Anti-Terror Council (ATC) to determine what
> constitutes “a serious risk to public safety” and the act to “incite
> others” to commit terrorism. This paves the way for the warrantless arrest
> of members of civil society designated as “terrorist.” This may paralyze
> the broad grassroots movements and alternative practices engaged by
> communities and civil society organizations that counter the state’s
> aggressive, profit-oriented vision of development. No one is safe.
>
>
>
> We believe that it is imperative that we put an end to terrorist
> activities. Our hearts and sympathies go out to all of those who have been
> victimized by acts of lawless violence. However, arming the government with
> punitive instruments and granting them  a wide latitude of discretion,
> which the proposed bill provides, is not the answer. History will tell how
> current and past regimes have exhausted means to amass political power
> through anti-people policies, as exemplified by the late dictator Ferdinand
> Marcos who wore the same “anti-terrorism” veneer to quell critics and
> dissenters. Suffice to say, the “Terror Bill” does not and will not address
> the root causes of terrorism which is poverty and the corruption of power.
>
>
>
> As scholars and activists, we cannot stand by as we lay witness to the
> passage of this bill, especially under the current regime which has not
> been shy to use violence against the weak, powerless and the poor. We
> believe that addressing terrorism must not be addressed through  punitive
> and draconian measures. Quelling terroristic activities is built through a
> comprehensive approach towards attaining peace, social justice, equity with
> the genuine participation of its people. We do not need to further arm the
> coercive apparatuses of the state which has operated with impunity and has
> grotesquely performed its duties with abuses. In order to end terrorism,
> what our society needs are real opportunities for its people, schools for
> its children, protection for peoples across races, sexes, and genders, an
> end to discrimination and violence, and genuine, open and transformative
> conversations in our pursuit of development.
>
>
>
> To be free from terrorism, the entire Philippine nation, and the rest of
> the world, must get rid of poverty, marginalization and vulnerabilities. We
> need and demand for socio-politico-economic transformation attuned to
> people’s aspirations and voices, not another gauntlet to further strangle
> the Filipino peoples.
>
>
>
> #JunkTerrorBillNow
>
>
>
> Supported by: *(please signify your name or name of your organization for
> support)*
>
> 1.
>
> *Ananeza Aban, MCD*
> Senior Research Associate
> Program on Alternative Development (AltDev)
> University of the Philippines | Center for Integrative and Development
> Studies
> *Ang Bahay ng Alumni, Lower Ground Floor  *
> *Magsaysay Ave., UP Diliman, Q.C. 1101  Philippines*
> *Tel. nos.:  981-8500 loc. 4266-4267 & 435-9283*
> *Tel. fax:  981-8500 loc. 4268 & 426-0955*
>
> *Website: cids.up.edu.ph <http://cids.up.edu.ph>*
> *Facebook page: www.facebook.com/upcids*
>
>
>
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