4 years has passed since the deadly siege in Marawi city took place in which

1200 people lost their lives. The civilians caught in the crossfire who could not
escape the city when suffered the most, they lost their homes, livelihood, and
their loved ones. In 2017, a local terrorist group allied with ISIS militants to
spread terror and turn Marawi into a terrorist stronghold. When the siege began,
it was evident that this operation was carefully planned for months by militants
hiding in plain sight. The siege lasted for 5 months until the Philippines Armed
Forces bravely fought those who seek to disrupt our way of life. When the conflict
was over, the Philippine government stepped in to solve the humanitarian crisis
caused by the war. This attack caused great concern for people living in other
parts of the country, they fear that the terrorist can organize and plan another
attack on a major city such as Manila, if such an event would occur, it would
signify that the terrorist threat in the region is growing rapidly. In July of 2020,
President Duterte signed into law the controversial “anti-terrorism law” a law that
even a social media post that they see as an act of terrorism can land you in
prison. People saw this as attack on free speech, you can no longer express your
opinions about government policies without being targeted for terrorism. Protests
erupted across the country rejecting the bill as our own government brands us as
terrorist for voicing out our opinions regarding national issues, media groups and
journalists have signed a statement rejecting the bill as it was unconstitutional,
freedom of the press is the foundation of a free society, without free and
unbiased information, an electorate’s decision would be all wrong, there will be
no accountability, and authoritarian rule will most likely replace our already fragile
democracy. Our government says that this law will be used to combat extremist
and safeguard the country, how can we be safe if our rights are being trampled
on by this legislation. A lot of our countrymen already lost their lives as a result of
this administration’s war on drugs, most of whom are innocent men, women, and
children. And now they want to start another war, this time on terrorism. This law
being implemented by a police force known for unlawful killings and shady
practices, will have no fear in persecuting those they deem as a threat to the
community even without concrete evidence, people in power will use this law as
an excuse to get rid of their political opponents. With our country getting negative
international attention, due to the numerous human rights abuses being reported,
journalists, critics, and labor leaders are in danger of being targeted because of
what they do. They are the ones that put their lives on the line so that the
average Filipino will have knowledge of the possible abuse of the anti-terrorism
bill.