A Dumaguete-based university’s various student organizations release a unified statement condemning the Anti-Terror Law; demanding priority of the COVID pandemic, transparency of local and national gov., and for Siliman University to uphold academic freedom & have an agreement with state forces that prevents police & military from entering the campus unless necessary and with prior notice to the community

The undersigned organizations were the SUSG Students’ Rights and Welfare Committee, Silliman University Student Government, Silliman University Student Government Special Projects Committee, SUSG Environment Committee, Silliman University Student Government Health Committee, LGBTQ+ org Illuminates of the Spectra – ISPEC, Silliman University Debate Society, Siliman University Senior High School Student Council, Samahan ng Progresibong Sillimanian, and the Silliman University Medical Technology Society

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We, the student government, organizations, college councils, publications and concerned members of the Silliman University community, are united in our call to junk the terror law. Due to its vague provisions, it is highly likely that it will be weaponized by the state to stifle dissent and silence critics, but it will not address the roots of terrorism.”

Last July 3, 2020, the Anti-Terror Bill was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte. This law infringes on our civil rights and liberties enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Instead of a strong law that would protect us from terrorism, it instead becomes an avenue for abuse by those that wish to impose terror on dissenters, critics and progressive groups that continue to expose the incompetencies and corruption of those in power in our government. Its vague clauses and the power given to the Anti-Terror Council (ATC) through this law can be used to target specific individuals and groups as “terrorists” without proof and without going through the proper judicial processes.

Even without an Anti-Terror Law in effect, state forces have suppressed peaceful mobilizations, individuals, and institutions who have fought to hold those in power accountable. Last June 5, eight students were arrested during a protest against the Anti-Terror Bill at UP Cebu, and they were illegally detained for 77 hours[1]. While last June 26, at least 20 were arrested during the Pride March in Mendiola [2]. As if these unwarranted mass arrests weren’t enough, 11 more were arrested in Cabuyao during a protest against the ATB in Cabuyao, Laguna last July 4 [3]. Intimidation is the name of the game.

The media has not been spared from the insecurity of the Duterte administration too. Recently, we have witnessed the circus that is the Congress hearings on the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN [4], as well as the continued attacks on Rappler and its CEO Maria Ressa [5]. These attacks on press freedom are clear manifestations of the vindictiveness of the current administration against those who seek government accountability and transparency. It is also worth noting that a total of 13 journalists have been slain since Duterte took office [6].

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Province of Negros Oriental has seen a slow yet steady rise in COVID-19 cases– this is besides the fact that the province has not exerted any effort or even an attempt to conduct mass testing. We have also been left confused and fazed by inconsistencies in the reporting of local COVID-19 cases. With politicians leading crucial units, facts are twisted, giving off a semblance of responsibility and responsiveness on the LGU’s end. Moreover, there seems to be a lack of regard for our medical frontliners, evident in hospitals and public health units seeking aid from the private sector and non-government organizations [7]. The Province of Negros Oriental and its component LGUs have also been lackluster in their efforts to help its residents get through these very hard times, most especially those in the margins, leaving thousands of families hungry and uncertain of what lies ahead.

These LGUs have also been lax in investigating the murder of at least 14 people by “unidentified assailants”, including broadcast journalist Cornelio “Rex Cornelio” Pepino [8], who have been mercilessly killed over the course of the pandemic– not a single person has been charged in relation to any of these cases. On top of all this, Gov. Roel Degamo [9] and Dumaguete Mayor Ipe Remollo [10] have both publicly expressed support for the Anti-Terror Law, while both 2nd District Rep. Manuel Sagarbarria and 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves voted in favor of the draconian bill, with only 1st District Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong in opposition [11].

The Philippine government, whose power and authority stems from the will of the Filipino people, must act in the best interests of its citizens. As a leading institution in Negros Oriental, Silliman University must uphold the safety of the entire community and be a model university that continues to stand for truth and justice. We therefore manifest the following demands:

– The Philippine government must immediately junk the terror law and nothing less;
– The national and local government must prioritize medical and social solutions to the COVID Pandemic;
– The national and local government must be transparent and truthful in its release of information to the public;
– Silliman University must have an agreement with state forces that bars the entry of the police and the military on campus unless necessary and with prior notice to the community to ensure that it is a safe space for students to express their concerns freely without being tagged as an enemy of the state;
– Silliman University must uphold academic freedom, press freedom and the safety of everyone in our community.

We are demanding for those in power to listen to the cries of the people and to immediately pass laws on mass testing, economic relief and assistance, and the improvement of social services. Those elected must serve the Filipino people and their interests, and not the interests of those in power. We need leaders both in the government and in our communities that would uplift the people and heed their calls to junk the Terror Law and to protect our rights and liberties enshrined in our Constitution.

We call on the Filipino people to stand courageously, to resist as one, and to continue to fight against tyranny.

“Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.”
– Section 1, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution”

References:
[1]https://www.cnnphilippines.com/…/court-release-order-cebu-8…
[2]https://www.rappler.com/…/264919-cops-arrest-individuals-pr…
[3]https://www.philstar.com/…/11-activists-protesting-enactmen…
[4]https://www.rappler.com/…/249550-timeline-duterte-against-a…
[5]https://www.amnesty.org/…/philippines-quash-conviction-of-…/
[6]https://en.unesco.org/…/safety-j…/observatory/country/223790
[7]https://m.facebook.com/…/a.2220061946602…/1279261438934745/…
[8]https://www.rappler.com/…/260017-dumaguete-city-radio-repor…
[9]https://www.facebook.com/…/a.2220061946602…/1327467304114158
[10]https://www.facebook.com/PiaNegrosOriental/posts/1843166599159648
[11]https://www.facebook.com/explainedPH/posts/129097422128386