State forces held a peace rally in front of the Fountain of Justice at Araneta Street in Bacolod City today, February 2, just hours before the scheduled oral arguments on the Anti-Terrorism Act before the Supreme Court.
But the peace rally, which was in support of the government’s Anti-Terror Law, was met by a small group of Bacolod youth, who strongly opposed the measure.
“We stood in front of them, knowing there were only a few of us standing against a collection of organized state-sponsored forces. But every voice matters, and we believe that a strong opposition against the unconstitutional Anti-Terrorism Law should be heard,” youth group Hilway said.
They added, “we believe that genuine youth representation means that we get the freedom to exercise our rights to speech, expression, and assembly without fear or intimidation.”
“We hope our youth leaders represent our genuine voices, too. Peace built on justice is stronger, deeper, and more humane than one built on violence,” they added.
In the afternoon, militant groups in the city also held indignation rally to condemn the anti-terror law.
They called on the government to junk the “terror law,” stressing that the measure was meant to silence the activists and critics of the administration.*