Indigenous Peoples, rights defenders intensify call to scrap terror law

Manila, Philippines — On July 3, the fifth year implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (commonly known as Anti-Terror Law or ATL), Indigenous Peoples and human rights groups marched to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday, intensifying the call to scrap the draconian law. The groups also urged the Supreme Court to declare ATL unconstitutional, citing severe human rights violations experienced by Indigenous communities and their advocates since its enactment.

“Nandito kami para singilin si Bongbong Marcos sa limang taong paglabag sa karapatan naming mga Katutubo gamit ang terror law na ito. Mismong batas ang ginagamit para supilin ang batayang karapatan ng mamamayan,” said Funa-ay Claver, spokesperson of Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas.

Among the first charged with terrorism under the ATL were Ayta farmers Japer Gurung and Junior Ramos of San Marcelino, Zambales. On August 21, 2020, they were arrested by elements of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division, tortured—beaten and forced to eat human waste—and coerced into admitting as members of the New People’s Army (NPA). Firearms and explosives were planted on them as part of the fabricated charges.

In 2023, four leaders of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance —Windel Bolinget, Stephen Tauli, Sarah Abellon-Alikes, and Jennifer Awingan—were arbitrarily designated as terrorists under Anti-Terrorism Council Resolution No. 41. The resolution stipulated the freezing of their assets, severely undermining their work in advancing Indigenous rights in the Cordillera region.

Claver further raised alarm over the ATL’s vague and overbroad definitions of terrorism, which continue to endanger those advocating for rights and justice. She also flagged the abuse of another oppressive measure—the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 (TFPSA)—used to hinder the work of Indigenous advocates. One of those victimized under the TFPSA is Marcylyn Pilala, a Kankanaey woman from Mountain Province, who was charged for allegedly selling groceries to suspected NPA members.

“Hindi terorismo ang pagdepensa sa lupang ninuno. Ang tunay na terorista ay ang estado na nagpapatahimik sa amin. Patuloy kaming lalaban hangga’t hindi nakakamit ang tunay na hustisya para sa mga Katutubo,” Claver declared.

Katribu reiterated that while the call to scrap the terror law continues, Indigenous Peoples across the country will persist in resisting and asserting their rights to land and self-determination. “Ibasura ang terror law! Itigil ang karahasan laban sa mga Katutubo at human rights defenders!” Claver concluded.