By Aldwin Quitasol
BAGUIO CITY - Four Cordillera activists tagged “terrorists” by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) filed a petition at the Baguio Regional Trial Court here Nov. 23 challenging the ATC's designation against them.
Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) leaders Windel Bolinget, Sarah Abellon-Alikes, Jennifer Awingan-Taggaoa, and Stephen Tauli in the first legal action filed in court sought to overturn the “terrorist” designation citing infringement of their constitutional rights.
On July 10, 2023, an ATC Resolution 41, signed June 7, 2023 designated them as terrorists.
CPA chairperson and petitioner Bolinget described the designation “assault to their basic rights” as it has effectively frozen their bank accounts and other assets including the CPA itself, “deprived them of fully practicing their work and advocacy and ultimately subjected them to further harassment, humiliation, and threats.”
The legal initiative renewed calls for junking of the Anti-Terror Law (ATL) following 37 petitions filed in 2020 before the Supreme Court by various groups and individuals of which Bolinget himself was one of petitioners against the ATL.
“We knew from the start that this law would only be weaponized in silencing dissent. They try to make us falter; we, indigenous peoples and human rights defenders. But we will never deter. This legal action is a testament to our unwavering resolve and unity in standing up for our civil liberties. CPA is a legal and legitimate organization. I am a proud Igorot activist, not a terrorist,” said Bolinget.
Before the terrorist designation, Bolinget, Abellon-Alikes, Awingan-Taggaoa, and Tauli had reportedly been subjected to relentless harassment and threats by state security forces–varying from filing of trumped-up charges, illegal arrest and detention and abduction.
This was alongside other harassment and false charges filed against other CPA members and leaders throughout the region despite CPA’s long track record in the defense of indigenous peoples’ rights, recognized both locally and internationally.
The petition was crafted by a team of esteemed lawyers and groups including the National Union of Peoples Lawyers (NUPL) which included attorneys Tony La Viña, Carlos Zarate, Ayangwa Claver, Marben Panlasigui with Baguio city councilor Jose Molintas as lead counsel.
Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) leaders Windel Bolinget, Sarah Abellon-Alikes, Jennifer Awingan-Taggaoa, and Stephen Tauli in the first legal action filed in court sought to overturn the “terrorist” designation citing infringement of their constitutional rights.
On July 10, 2023, an ATC Resolution 41, signed June 7, 2023 designated them as terrorists.
CPA chairperson and petitioner Bolinget described the designation “assault to their basic rights” as it has effectively frozen their bank accounts and other assets including the CPA itself, “deprived them of fully practicing their work and advocacy and ultimately subjected them to further harassment, humiliation, and threats.”
The legal initiative renewed calls for junking of the Anti-Terror Law (ATL) following 37 petitions filed in 2020 before the Supreme Court by various groups and individuals of which Bolinget himself was one of petitioners against the ATL.
“We knew from the start that this law would only be weaponized in silencing dissent. They try to make us falter; we, indigenous peoples and human rights defenders. But we will never deter. This legal action is a testament to our unwavering resolve and unity in standing up for our civil liberties. CPA is a legal and legitimate organization. I am a proud Igorot activist, not a terrorist,” said Bolinget.
Before the terrorist designation, Bolinget, Abellon-Alikes, Awingan-Taggaoa, and Tauli had reportedly been subjected to relentless harassment and threats by state security forces–varying from filing of trumped-up charges, illegal arrest and detention and abduction.
This was alongside other harassment and false charges filed against other CPA members and leaders throughout the region despite CPA’s long track record in the defense of indigenous peoples’ rights, recognized both locally and internationally.
The petition was crafted by a team of esteemed lawyers and groups including the National Union of Peoples Lawyers (NUPL) which included attorneys Tony La Viña, Carlos Zarate, Ayangwa Claver, Marben Panlasigui with Baguio city councilor Jose Molintas as lead counsel.
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