Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 6) – University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons stars Kobe Paras and Ricci Rivero led the roster of past and current University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) athletes who took a stand against the controversial Anti-Terrorism Bill.
(photo courtesy of The UAAP Facebook page)
Paras, the son of basketball legend and actor Benjie, tweeted a link of an online petition he signed that seeks to junk the criticized proposed measure.
While Rivero said in his tweet that terrorism should not be taken in a light way.
“The use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of terror or political aim, has no room in our country. Our government should protect us from this harm the best way possible but in protecting us, the rights, safety, and welfare of its people should be upheld,” said Rivero.
The two Fighting Maroons also called for the release of seven UP Cebu students arrested while participating in a protest against the Anti-Terrorism Bill on Thursday.
I signed the petition. Did you?#JunkTerrorBilllNow https://t.co/oG2vSEkFHB via @ChangePilipinas
— Kobe Lorenzo Forster Paras ✊🏽 (@_kokoparas) June 5, 2020
— Ricci Rivero (@_ricciiirivero) June 5, 2020
READ: Seven arrested during anti-terrorism bill protest in Cebu City
“To all my Isko and Iskas in Cebu and everywhere else, stay strong, stay safe, and stand ten toes down. We will raise money to bail those affected,” said Paras in a separate tweet.
“Rest assure that I will use my influence to help, especially to my fellow Iskos and Iskas in Cebu,” Rivero said in Filipino in his tweet.
Former Fighting Maroon and Cebuano Jun Manzo also voiced his support for the release of the UP Cebu students and in opposing the Anti-Terror Bill in his tweets.
Other current and past Fighting Maroons, like 2017 UAAP Rookie of the Year Juan Gomez de Liaño and Blackwater Elite guard Diego Dario, also tweeted their disapproval to House Bill No. 6875.
University of Santo Tomas shooting guard CJ Cansino tweeted the hashtag #JUNKTERRORBILLNOW in separate days to show his displeasure in the progress of the controversial proposal.
Fellow Thomasian athletes Brent Paraiso and volleyball star Eya Laure supported the cause.
National University basketball standouts Shaun Ildefonso and Jack Animam voiced out their opposition to the bill in their tweets.
The Ravena siblings, basketball star Thirdy and volleybelle libero Dani, also joined the calls against the Anti-Terrorism Bill.
In his Instagram page, the two-time UAAP Finals Most Valuable Player Thirdy posted a series of stories denouncing the proposal and even added a link of the online petition seeking to junk the bill on his profile bio.
While Dani used her Twitter account to raise her concerns on the measure.
I saw the news in Cebu about my fellow isko and Iskas.
To all my people there who got arrested
Thank you standing up for what is right.
To all my isko and iskas in cebu & everywhere else, stay strong, stay safe, and stand ten toes down.
We will raise money to bail those affected!— Kobe Lorenzo Forster Paras ✊🏽 (@_kokoparas) June 5, 2020
Sinuportahan tayo ng UP Community sa mga laro natin ngayon sila naman ating supportahan ✊🏽❤️
— Jun Manzo (@Jun13Manzo) June 5, 2020
#ReleaseCebu7 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Jun Manzo (@Jun13Manzo) June 5, 2020
— Jun Manzo (@Jun13Manzo) June 5, 2020
— Juan Gómez de Liaño (@juan_swish9) June 4, 2020
Taking a stand is a choice. Not taking a stand is also a choice. Educating yourself about the issues of our country is a choice. Not educating yourself about them is not an excuse but also a choice. That’s ignorance. Make a choice. Stand up for the people. #JunkTerrorBillNow ✊🏽❤️
— Diego Dario (@Diego5Dario) June 5, 2020
Selective justice…. #ReleaseCebu8 https://t.co/uEMRqPXylN
— Diego Dario (@Diego5Dario) June 5, 2020
Kung alam mo na ang pinaguusapan magsalita ka. Pag wala ka pang alam walang masamang tumahimik muna. Mas mabuting may alam bago makipaglaban. ✊🏼
— Cj Cansino (@cjcansino) June 4, 2020
Lord, kayo na po bahala 🙏🏻 #JunkTerrorBill https://t.co/BWCPj4spno
— Brent Paraiso (@brentparaiso) June 3, 2020
— Eya Laure (@eyalaureee) June 3, 2020
SRSLY! #JUNKTERRORBILLNOW
PURE BS! SO SICKENING. 🤮— Shaun Ildefonso (@ShaunIldefonso) June 4, 2020
Ang lala na. Baka nakakalimutan niyo may pandemya pa tayong kinakaharap, na hindi niyo nga mabigyan ng maayos at kongkretong plano kung paano natin ito mapupuksa. #JUNKTERRORBILLNOW
— Jack (@JACKenpoooy) June 3, 2020
Just want to share how important YOUR voice is. Do not be afraid to fight for what is right. YOU can make a difference. #JunkTerrorBill
— Dani Ravena (@ravenadani) June 3, 2020
Some Filipino-American players of the Philippine Basketball Association staged a nine-minute knee protest on Instagram last Tuesday to express their grievances over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
READ: Fil-Am PBA players demand justice over George Floyd’s death
Floyd’s death sparked unprecedented protests in the United States and other countries of the world over racism issues.
