Authorities Arrest 7 Activist At Anti-Terrorism Bill Protest in UP Cebu
ANTI-TERRORISM BILL – Cebu City police arrested seven (7) activists activist at Anti-terrorism bill protest in front of the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu.
The Anti-terrorism bill aims to toughen the Philippine government’s anti-terrorism policies. Lots of people including groups, lawyers, and celebrities were alarmed over the possible abuse of the “imprecise and poorly worded” provisions.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte called for the immediate passage of the controversial bill. Miss Universe titleholders Catriona Gray and Pia Wurtzbach spoke against the bill and asked the government to junk it and focus more on important issues.
In a report, a Filipino Swiftie uploaded a screengrab of Taylor Swift’s Instagram Story on her Twitter account. She thanked the American superstar for supporting the #JunkTerrorBill petition.
Based on a report from Inquirer, seven (7) activists hold a rally against the Anti-terror bill outside the university of the Philippines (UP) Cebu. The deputy director for administration of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), Police Lieutenant Colonel Melbert Esguerra said, they arrested the demonstrators for violating the government’s ban on mass gatherings.
“We gave them 10 minutes to disperse, but they did not heed our call. Hence, we decide to arrest them,” Esguerra said.
According to the report, the authorities forced the protesters to board their patrol cars. They were brought to the headquarters of CCPO.
Among those arrested was the chairperson of the Alyansa sa mga Mamumuno sa Sugbo-Kilusang Mayo Uno, Jaime Paglinawan. He asked the Cebuano lawmakers to withdraw their support to the anti-terrorism bill.
Watch the video below:
@upcebutugani captures the scene inside UP Cebu campus this morning. SWAT members going after protesters despite the prohibition on the presence of police & military inside UP. pic.twitter.com/88pFFx4dHL
— Bulatlat (@bulatlat) June 5, 2020
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