Thread by @PhilstarNews

President Duterte tells communists: You are terrorists because I declared you to be one. bit.ly/2O6sl7q

CONTEXT: A UN report looked into the human rights situation in the Philippines and stressed that 'red-tagging' — or labeling people as communists or terrorists—has been a “persistent and powerful threat to civil society and freedom of expression.”

philstar.com/headlines/2020…

CONTEXT: A UN expert on terrorism also expressed concerns over the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, saying the legislation will have “serious” implications on the work of civil societies and humanitarian actors.

philstar.com/headlines/2020…

CONTEXT: Other rapporteurs raised concern on the measure's “designation of civil society and humanitarian organizations as ‘terrorists’ in the context of ongoing discrimination" which are directed at minorities, rights defenders and political opponents.”

philstar.com/headlines/2020…

CONTEXT: UN rights chief Michele Bachelet also called on the chief executive to veto the anti-terror bill saying the new law “could have a further chilling effect on human rights and humanitarian work, hindering support to vulnerable communities.”

philstar.com/headlines/2020…

CONTEXT: Before Duterte signed the measure, law professors of the University of the Philippines also called on the chief executive to veto the bill and said that the anti-terrorism act of 2020 is a “clear and present danger.”

philstar.com/headlines/2020…

CONTEXT: Even the heads of Ateneo and La Salle, two of the biggest Catholic educational institutions in the country, called to junk the measure.

They said the gov't should instead focus its efforts and resources on fighting the spread of COVID-19.

philstar.com/headlines/2020…

CONTEXT: When the Office of the President asked the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) for recommendations on the anti-terrorism bill, the IBP told Malacañang to veto the measure, pointing out its potential infirmities.

philstar.com/headlines/2020…

CONTEXT: Potential constitutional infirmities that former rights lawyer Harry Roque flagged in the Human Security Act of 2007 are still found in the anti-terror bill.

But Roque now says the measure has enough "safeguards."

philstar.com/headlines/2020…

CONTEXT: Recently, the Philippine National Police has been criticized after two of its regional offices posted images accusing legal activist organizations of being communist fronts, implying also that the Anti-terrorism Act of 2020 would "put them out."

philstar.com/headlines/2020…

CONTEXT: Last month, protesters against the anti-terror act were apprehended in UP Cebu despite protocols stating that members of the army and police "shall not interfere with peaceful protest actions by UP constituents within UP premises."

philstar.com/nation/2020/06…

CONTEXT: In Iligan city, none of the 13 student protesters against the measure who were arrested were read their Miranda rights as they were apprehended by police, who later interrogated and intimidated them throughout their eight hours in detention.

philstar.com/nation/2020/06…

CONTEXT: The police also arrested 20 protesters during an LGBTQ+ protest against the anti-terrorism act of 2020.

Police were seen refusing to answer the media when asked which quarantine guidelines were violated by the protesters being arrested.

philstar.com/headlines/2020…

CONTEXT: Within a day after the Anti-Terror Bill was signed into law, police arrested eleven activists holding a peaceful indignation protest near the Barangay Pulo Hall in Cabuyao, Laguna.

philstar.com/nation/2020/07…

CONTEXT: Senator Kiko Pangilinan also criticized the measure and said “given the authoritarian bent of the current administration... when these excesses are happening, who is to be confident that this law will not be abused or used to go after critics?”

philstar.com/headlines/2020…

CONTEXT: But even before the anti-terror law, Duterte has been slammed multiple times for using his power to go after critics, such as Sen Lelia De Lima.

Even the US Senate passed a resolution condemning the continued detention of the senator.

philstar.com/headlines/2020…

CONTEXT: Duterte has also lashed out on the media multiple times, even banning a reporter from Malacañang coverage.

The NUJP said the depths Duterte is willing to take to go against his critics is "appalling and extremely unbecoming of his office.

philstar.com/headlines/2018…

CONTEXT: In Duterte's second SONA in July 2017, he ranted against ABS-CBN, which he previously lambasted for allegedly protecting its vested interests and for its alleged bias.

"Walang presidente na pinut*ng in* kayo because you are not behaving."

philstar.com/headlines/2017…

CONTEXT: In August 2018, President Duterte said he is personally against the renewal of franchise of media and entertainment giant ABS-CBN Corp., which he had accused of swindling him.

philstar.com/headlines/2018…

CONTEXT: In December 2019, Duterte told ABS-CBN's owners during a public speech to sell the network.

"I will make sure that you will remember this episode of our times forever," he said.

philstar.com/headlines/2019…

CONTEXT: A report in December 2019 documented 154 incidents of attacks and threats against news media from the start of the Duterte administration.

At least 69 cases were linked public officials from the executive and legislative and uniformed personnel.

philstar.com/headlines/2019…

CONTEXT: Apart from going after critics, the chief executive has also defended several gov't officials such as Health Sec. Francisco Duque who is facing an investigation for alleged irregularities and anomalies over the agency’s handling of COVID-19.

philstar.com/headlines/2020…

CONTEXT: The Office of the Ombudsman is looking into the liability of DOH officials due to alleged lapses and irregularities such as delayed procurement of PPEs, and confusing and delayed COVID-19 cases reporting.

philstar.com/headlines/2020…

CONTEXT: Despite violations of quarantine protocols, Duterte said Police Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas will stay in his position as Metro Manila’s top cop.

Sinas held a "mañanita" involving over 50 police personnel, banners, cakes, and a band amid he pandemic.

philstar.com/headlines/2020…

CONTEXT: This isn't the only time Duterte defended officials.

In 2018, Duterte defended SolGen Calida over the P150M in gov't contracts his family's security agency bagged since becoming the country's top lawyer.

philstar.com/headlines/2018…

CONTEXT: The chief executive said he will not tolerate a "whiff of corruption," also protected former BOC commissioners Isidro Lapeña and Nicanor Faeldon, saying they were not corrupt after issues surrounding multi-billion peso illegal drug shipments.

philstar.com/headlines/2018…

CONTEXT: In 2019, Duterte denied corruption in the construction of the SEA Games cauldron.

He shrugged off the criticisms on PHISGOC Chairman Cayetano and the controversial P55-million cauldron, saying there is “no extravagance” in the cauldron's price.

philstar.com/headlines/2019…