Militant groups in Negros Occidental renewed their call to junk the Anti-Terror Law today, February 9.
The groups led by BAYAN Negros and Karapatan trooped to the Fountain of Justice in Bacolod City for an indignation rally as the oral arguments on the Anti-Terrorism Act were being heard at the Supreme Court.
The progressive groups reiterated that the measure will continue to silence government critics and dissent.
Danilo Ramos, chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, said at least three farmers, including a sugar worker from Escalante City, were killed since January this year and several others were slapped with trumped-up charges as a result of the government’s continuing implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Law.
Ramos claimed that such killings and trumped-up cases are intended to neutralize or stop farmers from advancing their struggle and advocacies for genuine land reform, defense of human rights, and demand for aid and social services.*