Youth groups vow to fight implementation of anti-terror law

Hours after President Rodrigo Duterte signed the anti-terrorism law, youth groups across the country held an online indignation protest on Friday night, July 3, to condemn the move.

“Despite the opposition from a broad array of sectors, it is clear that Duterte doesn’t listen to the Filipino people,” said Student Christian Movement Spokesperson Kej Andres during the impromptu online protest. (READ: ‘The demise of democracy’: Filipinos denounce signing of anti-terror law)

Several youth groups took part in the online protest, including the College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines, National Union of Students of the Philippines, Kabataan Partylist, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines, League of Filipino Students, University of the Philippines Los Baños – University Student Council, University of the Philippines Diliman – University Student Council, YACAP, STAND-USC, Tulong Kabataan and Youth Act Now Against Tyranny Cagayan Valley.

During the protest, youth groups stressed that the anti-terrorism law is a misplaced priority of “a country being ravaged by a pandemic,” adding that the administration must exert its efforts on uplifting the lives of marginalized groups instead. (READ: House of terror: How the lower chamber let slip a ‘killer’ bill)

– Rappler.com