News Release
March 23, 2018
Cause-oriented groups today held protest actions in Manila against the worsening state of human rights and impunity and the climate of “political repression” that has targeted critics of the administration.
The groups asserted that “activism is not a crime”, in response to a Department of Justice petition that tags several prominent activists as among groups being accused of “terrorism”. The list includes a UN Special Rapporteur, a former lawmaker, a lawyer, indigenous activists and human rights defenders as well as peace panel members and consultants of the NDFP. Umbrella group Bayan has denounced the list as a “fake terror list” intended to intimidate, threaten and harass activists fighting for basic reforms.
“The Duterte regime has sunk to the level of fascist brute, afraid of all forms of criticism and accountability. It has sought the criminalization and silencing of dissent amid the worsening crisis facing Filipinos today. Such silencing is necessary for the regime to impose authoritarian schemes such as Charter change and the establishment of a fascist dictatorship,” Bayan said.
“The Filipino people will continue to assert freedom of expression, freedom of association, the right to assembly and the right to organize. Now more than ever, we need to speak out against human rights violations, rising prices, higher taxes, contractualization, violations of national sovereignty, poverty and landlessness,” the group said.
Bayan also criticized the “all-out war” policy of the Duterte regime against the revolutionary movement, including the ongoing militarization of communities and the “fake rebel surrenderees” being presented to the media.
The AFP has claimed that 4,000 NPA rebels have surrendered since January, whereas the AFP previously pegged the NPA strength to be less than 4,000. Observers have cast doubt on the figures presented by the administration.
“Any militarist approach to the rebellion will fail. Any approach that does not address the root causes of the armed conflict, and instead relies on psy-war, will ultimately fail. It is much better for the Duterte regime to resume peace talks with the NDFP, rather than delude itself and the public with the so-called ‘mass surrender; of rebels. It’s an old psywar trick that will not resolve the roots of the armed conflict,” Bayan said.
March 16, 2018 marked the 20th anniversary of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) between the GRP and the NDFP. Peace advocates have sought the full implementation of CARHRIHL along with the revival of peace talks. “Instead of labeling revolutionaries and progressives as ‘terrorists’, the Duterte government should implement CARHRIHL, resume peace talks and forge agreements on substantive issues,” Bayan said. ###
