Danilo Ramos says human rights violations persist under anti-terror law

Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairman and senatorial aspirant Danilo Ramos said human rights violations continued amid the implementation of the Anti-Terror Law.

Representing the peasant sector, Ramos was one of the petitioners who challenged the constitutionality of Republic Act 11479, or the Anti-Terror Law, which was signed by then-President Rodrigo Duterte in 2020.

However, the Supreme Court ruled in December 2021 that most parts of the law, which drew criticism because it allegedly contained provisions that may be used to stifle dissent, are constitutional.

“Totoo po at ang inyong pong lingkod ay isa 37 petitioner sa Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020. Base po sa karanasan, patuloy ang paglabag sa karapatang tao dahil po sa Anti-Terrorism Law [and] Executive Order No. 70, creation of NTF-ELCAC,” Ramos said during the "Tanong ng Bayan: The GMA Senatorial Face Off 2025.”

(It is accurate, and I was among the 37 petitioners against the Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020. Based on experience, the violation of human rights continues due to the Anti-Terrorism Law [and] Executive Order No. 70, creation of NTF-ELCAC.)

“Ako at ang libu-libong mga magsasaka, manggagawang bukid, at kanilang pamilya ay nakakaranas ng terrorist [labeling] at saka po red tagging. Ang ipinaglalaban po namin ay lupa para sa mga magsasaka, palakasin ang lokal na produksyon ng pagkain,” he added.

(I and thousands of farmers, farm workers, and their families are experiencing terrorist labeling and then red tagging. We are fighting for land for farmers and strengthening local food production.)

He said they have reached out to the local government units, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan to help address false accusations of terrorist connections. — VBL, GMA Integrated News

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