Just in time before President Rodrigo Duterte’s 5th State of the Nation address, sectoral group leaders vowed to defend what they called the “worsening” human rights violations in the country.
In an online protest on Thursday, July 23, groups including Karapatan Timog Katagalugan, Bayan Muna Youth, Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan, Youth Advocates for Peace with Justice- UPLB, Pagkakaisa ng mga Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan-Kilusang Mayo Uno, and Defend Southern Tagalog came together to assess the human rights situation under the Duterte administration.
“Apat na taon na sa panunungkulan ni pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Maisasalarawan natin ang kalagayan ng karapatang pantao bilang isang lumalala na epidemya ng terorismo ng estado, kawalang katarungan at malubhaang mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao,” said Karapatan National Deputy Secretary-General Roneo Clamor.
[President Rodrigo Duterte has been in office for 4 years. We can depict the situation of our human rights as a worsening epidemic of the state’s terrorism, injustice, and grave human rights violations.]
The leaders warned of even more human rights violations with the implementation of the new anti-terrorism law.
Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate pointed out the controversial law’s unconstitutional provisions and how it threatens basic human rights.
“Itong batas na ito ay buong-buo nang epektibo at ang mga masasamang napapaloob na mga probisyon sa batas na ito ay pwede nang gamitin sa kahit sinumang Pilipino na sa tingin nila ay gumagawa ng tinatawag nilang ‘act of terrorism’ o mga gawaing terorismo,” Zarate said.
[This law is fully effective and its harmful provisions could be used against any Filipino whom they think is involved in acts of terrorism.]
