Citing ‘red-tagging,’ arrests, anti-terror law critics press Supreme Court to issue TRO

Some of the petitioners challenging the Philippines' anti-terrorism legislation before the Supreme Court (SC) have pressed the tribunal to order a stop to the implementation of the law, citing arrests and continued "red-tagging" by security officials.

A preliminary injunction or a temporary restraining order (TRO) will ensure the protection of basic rights while the cases against the law are pending, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and other activist groups said in a manifestation with omnibus motion filed Monday.

"It may even spell the difference between life and death for individuals in the crosshairs of those intolerant of dissent and divergence," they said.

The groups urged the court to issue a TRO following the promulgation of the law's implementing rules and regulations (IRR), which they claimed not only repeated its "objectionable" provisions but also "pushes way beyond" it.

In making the plea before the High Court, the groups cited the "continuing red-tagging spree and terrorist-labelling bash" by officials — in particular, they named Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr., who has recently been criticized for warning actress Liza Soberano against women's group Gabriela.

The petitioners also said they have received "verified information" that some have already been recently arrested, charged, and detained on the basis of the anti-terrorism law even before the IRR was issued earlier this month.

"Because the rights being threatened with the enforcement of R.A. 11479 and the IRR are so fundamental, these deserve immediate and utmost protection as a matter of course," they said.

Without a provisional relief, the petitioners said they are "vulnerable targets," having already been painted as "enemies in the government's counter-insurgency campaign."

"The issuance of the IRR has set the stage for the unimpeded implementation of the assailed law; the targeting of activists and critics of the government; the suppression of dissent; and the curtailment of civil and political rights, all in the altar of national security," they said.

There are 37 petitions against the anti-terrorism law, which took effect last July, before the SC. Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta said the tribunal could set a date for oral arguments "before the middle of November." — RSJ, GMA News