The De La Salle Brothers and Philippine Jesuits stood their ground in their released joint statement in opposition to House Bill No. 6875, also known as the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, and further appealed to the President of the Philippines to veto the bill as it threatens human rights, and to place more priority in the country’s response to COVID-19, yesterday, June 5.

Listen to the people, and veto the bill

“We, the undersigned, strongly register our opposition to the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (House Bill No. 6875) recently approved by the House of Representatives on the third and final reading and the earlier similar bill approved by the Senate (Senate Bill 1083) last February,” it stated.

It is further mentioned in the statement that they find the bill “ill-timed” and the government, given the struggles of the Filipinos with COVID-19, “should focus on fighting the virus and in helping our people.” 

“Many have died and continue to suffer from the pandemic. Our health systems and personnel are stretched to their limits. Many have lost jobs and are hungry. At this time, our priorities should be shoring up our health system, providing support to our health workers, ensuring food for our communities, stimulating the economy and providing jobs for our people,” the statement emphasized.

To be sure, it is our lawmakers’ sworn duty as public servants that these very real and terrifying threats to our health and economy receive more of their dedication and attention than hastily passing a bill that could, with its haphazard construction, wrongly impair sacred constitutional rights,” it added.

Despite their acknowledgement of the government’s need to fight terrorism, they further added that the bill is adding to the people’s anxieties and fears as it can be “used to oppress our people” instead as a “measure to protect” them once placed “in the wrong hands” given the bill’s provisions.

“Many of the provisions under this bill are couched in language that is sweeping and equivocal as to be easily subject to misinterpretation and abuse. Worrisome are the expanded and vague definitions of a “terrorist;” the powers given to the Anti-Terror Council to designate a group as a “terrorist group;” the weakening of the protection of one’s privacy and the safeguards against arrests and detention without warrants,” they stated, highlighting the weak points of the bill.

Moreover, they request for action that can target all needs for Filipino’s betterment and the President’s changing of priorities to address. “We therefore appeal to the President to listen to the pleas of our people who are already burdened by the pandemic, and to veto this particular version of the bill. We can then all work together to craft a better version that can uproot terrorism while addressing the people’s concerns about their basic rights. By so doing, we will not be divided in countering terrorism.”

The statement further reminded the people to remain aware and informed of their own rights “enshrined in the Constitution” and current events to protect themselves.

“Our people are under siege on several fronts. May God grant us wisdom and courage in this time of need,” the statement concluded.

The 16 undersigned Lasallian brothers and Philippine Jesuits, together with their position and schools, are as follows:

• Br. Armin Luistro FSC: Provincial Supervisor, Lasallian East Asia District

• Br. Raymundo Suplido FSC: President, De La Salle University

• Br. Bernard Oca FSC: President, De La Salle Santiago Zobel and St. Jaime Hilario School- De La Salle Bagac

• Br. Augustine Boquer FSC: President, De La Salle University- Dasmariñas and De La Salle Medical Health Sciences Inc.

• Br. Edmundo Fernandez FSC: President, La Salle Green Hills and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

• Br. Joaquin Martinez FSC: President, University of St. La Salle and St. Joseph’s High School-La Salle

• Br. Dante Jose Amisola FSC: President, De La Salle-Lipa

• Fr. Primitivo Viray Jr. SJ: Provincial Supervisor, Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus

• Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin SJ: President, Ateneo de Manila University

• Fr. Roberto Yap SJ: President, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan

• Fr. Joel Tabora SJ: President, Ateneo de Davao University

• Fr. Roberto Exequiel Rivera SJ: President, Ateneo de Naga University

• Fr. Karel San Juan SJ: President, Ateneo de Zamboanga University

• Fr. Manuel Uy Jr. SJ: President, Sacred Heart School Cebu-Ateneo de Cebu

• Fr. Aristotle Dy SJ: President, Xavier School

• Fr. Joseph Raymond Patrick Sanches SJ: President, Ateneo de Iloilo

The full statement can be read below:

Cover Photo taken from The Lasallian official Facebook Page