The Anti-Terrorism Law that's allegedly being weaponized by the State against critics, activists, journalists and others must be repealed, according to the Makabayan bloc.

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co--both members of the militant faction--filed House Bill (HB) No. 1272 to junk the anti-terror law.

They claim that it is commonly used by authorities to charge protesters and fellow militants.

They said the law's existence stands in stark contradiction to the democratic and human rights principles enshrined in the 1987 Constitution and international covenants. It is time to end the reign of fear, silence, and repression, they said.

Passed in 2020 during the Duterte administration, the Anti-Terrorism Law has for five years undermined the work of human rights defenders, journalists, teachers, students, and grassroots organizers, Makabayan said.

For Tinio, the measure only supposedly served to justify attacks against ordinary Filipinos and those who champion human rights.

''We must repeal this law to protect our fundamental freedoms,'' he said.

Both Tinio and Co believed that while it is the state's duty to ensure peace and security, it must never come at the expense of our people’s rights and freedoms.

''The true path to peace and justice lies not in repression, but in addressing the roots of poverty, inequality, and social unrest,'' they said.