Various organizations staged protests on July 11 at the Commission on Human Rights to condemn the Anti-Terrorism Council’s (ATC) arbitrary designation of six individuals as “terrorists” under the Anti-Terrorism Law (ATL). They demanded the repeal of the draconian law.

The six are Windel Bolinget, Sarah Abellon-Alikes, Jen Awingan, and Steve Tauli, all leaders of the Cordillera People’s Alliance, and Jovencio Tangbawan and May Vargas-Casilao. The designation was made public on July 10.

The four CPA leaders were part of the so-called “Northern Luzon 7” who were acquitted last May on fabricated charges of rebellion filed against them in January.

In the ATC’s resolution, the Anti-Money Laundering Council was tasked to investigate and freeze the bank accounts and assets of the accused. The six are in addition to 61 previously designated as “terrorist individuals” by the ATL.