Country’s Cry, Students’ Action: ‘Activism is not a Terrorism’

By Claire Cacapit
Saint Louis University

General goal: I want to persuade my audience.

Specific Goal: I would like the audience to know and understand that student activism
is not a terrorism.

Thesis statement: I want to persuade you to know and understand that student
activism entails that, to oppose is not a crime; to fight for democratic rights is a must;
and to stand for change is a commitment.

Introduction

I. Attention getter: Have you ever fought and justified your stand for the
country? If yes, did they call you terrorists for merely being an activist?

II. Listener relevance: Most of the time, people misunderstand the purposes
and goals of being a student activist. They immediately think of one, being an
activist, as anti-government. According to the University of Philippines,
Diliman, many threats are imposed upon activists and one of those is red-
tagging or red-baiting. It is a propaganda tactic wherein one is labeled or
accused as communists or terrorists or enemies of the state, without any
evidence.

III. Speaker credibility: I have become interested in this topic because as a

political science student, I want the cries, dreams, and missions of students
for our country to be put into action. And since government issues are highly
circulating, and government officials have done severe actions to its people,
just like the war on drugs implemented by President Rodrigo Duterte, which
killed thousands of innocent people in just one shot, I want the government to
hear the plea of the students. For, this event had truly affected everybody in a
way no one could even wonder.

IV. Thesis statement: Hence, I want to persuade you to know and understand
that student activism entails that, to oppose is not a crime; to fight for
democratic rights is a must; and to stand for change is a commitment.

Body

I. Student activism, or also known as campus activism, is where students have

worked together as a group to fight for political, environmental, economic, and
social change while terrorism is the unlawful use of violence and intimidation
against civilians, usually for political aims.
 Listener relevance link: Understanding the difference between student
activism and terrorism can lead us to the belief that student activism is not a
terrorism with these three arguments:

II. To oppose is not a crime.

1. Just because the government has passed bills, implemented laws or

took actions, do not mean that people must succumb to it already,
especially knowing that the effects or consequences of those would
lead to severe destruction and turmoil. Students have taken this into
consideration so most of the policies implemented or actions taken by
the government are opposed by students. Example of this is the denial
of ABS-CBN Franchise, the network which reports only the truth and
critics the government of its inhumane actions. In here, it can be
glossed that free speech is even barred from existing which students
primarily oppose to because everyone is given the right to freedom of
speech, and no one has the right to prevent it as stated in Sec.4 Article
3 of the 1987 Constitution. Student activists voice this out and strongly
oppose from it, but it does not mean that they are already terrorists
(Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo
de Manila, 2020).
2. Another example is the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
(PhilHealth) corruption that recently occurred amid the pandemic. In
this trying time, the existence of such is unpredictable since most
people are struggling. Also, it is unexpected of those who serve in this
agency to be corrupting the fund allotted for people’s health. Thus,
opposition from various people and students have occurred because of
the corruption of 15 billion pesos, which truly violates the right of
people to life and health. With this case given, there is no doubt that
students have already build up hatred and opposition for the
government because of the corrupt officials in it (Philippine Daily
Inquirer, 2020).
3. Next would be the passing of Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which aims to
prevent, prohibit, and penalize terrorism in the Philippines. Before the
passing of law, various people, especially students from different
universities oppose this with the fact that those who are even in protest
are already called enemies or terrorists. With that given, students
argue that students who oppose these acts of the government are not
terrorists; for, opposition is not a crime (Agham Youth, University of the
Philippines, 2020).

Transition: Now that we know the first argument of why student activism is not a
terrorism, let us now move on to the second argument.

III. To fight for democratic rights is a must.

 1. The issue on war on drugs of President Duterte has killed many lives,
including those innocent people who have been severely shot in just
one click of a gun. Given this, it is undeniable that people and students
will not stand still, and would want to take part in protests, wanting to
uphold these people’s right to life as stated in Sec. 1 Article 3 of the
1987 Constitution. Hence, students who fight for the democratic rights,
including one’s right to life does not mean that he or she is already a
terrorist (Campus Alliance for Dedicated and Unified Action, UP
Baguio, 2020).
2. In today’s pandemic, the government must have prepared for mass
testing for the safety of people’s health. However, President Duterte
insisted on the urgent passing of the then Anti-Terrorism Bill which
caused the extreme and faster spread of virus, where many people
have already died. Numerous people, especially students, oppose the
immediate need for Anti-Terrorism Bill for immediate mass testing is
declined. Because of such, students fight for people’s democratic right
to life but the government prioritizes unurgent matters first.
Nevertheless, doing such does not mean that these students are
terrorists (The Spectrum, University of Saint Lasalle, 2020).
3. Also, taking into consideration is the issue of President Duterte being
friends with China and being a foe to the United States, which is a
long-time friend of the Philippines. Many people disagree with the
arrangement because West Philippine Sea is being set aside in the
process. Duterte aims to build a good relationship with China in order
for its “Build, Build, Build Project” to be funded by the latter. Seeing this
motive, many people especially students, think that Philippine’s
democratic rights to West Philippine Sea has been neglected in order
to prosper Duterte’s project. Again, the students fighting for our
country’s democratic right to territory does not mean that they are
already terrorists (The Spectrum, University of Saint Lasalle, 2020).

Transition: Upon knowing the second argument, let us move on now to the third
argument.

IV. To take a stand for change is a commitment

1. Change in the government might seem hard to achieve; however, what

is lacking is the smart way of execution. Taking for example
Philippine’s laws, especially the 1987 Constitution, it is beautifully and
critically written; however, most officials fail to see its essence—
creating more problems in the country. Hence, most people specifically
students, take their stand about the Constitution by means of various
political issues. Notwithstanding, doing such does not mean that they
are already terrorists—they are just taking a stand of commitment for
change in the country (Federal News Network Staff, 2014).
 2. Another example would be the modernization of jeepney issue where
most people, especially those who are jeepney drivers have opposed
this claiming that it is anti-poor. Since, the cost for each jeepney is 1.4-
1.6 million pesos. Given such amount, jeepney drivers insist that they
are not able to afford it because what they earn each day is not even
enough for their family. Many people, especially students had this as a
topic for debates and students take their stand that they cannot agree
to such because committing to it, would mean that they are degrading
the poor jeepney drivers’ family. The students, have taken their stand
on this issue as they believe that this is not the change in which they
have committed to. Again, doing such does not mean that they are
terrorists (Adrian, 2019).
3. Moreover, in the K-12 issue, numerous people opposed this especially
those who are in the poor sector. Students, also have their claim and
stand about it, saying that it could be a hindrance for them to finish
school early and have job already. They raised their concerns about it,
as they take a stand, committed for change. The change that would
last for more generations to come. The change that is felt and seen not
just by the majority but of everyone. Therefore, their stand in today’s
government affairs is a commitment of change for this country, and for
their fellow citizens. And doing such, does not mean that one is a
terrorist, for activism does not equate to terrorism (Ateneo Human
Rights Center, 2020).

Transition: Now, with these arguments, we fully understand that student activism is
not a terrorism.

Conclusion

I. Restatement of thesis: Student activism is not a terrorism but an integration

of students commonly fighting and promoting fundamental human rights for
political, social, environmental, and economic change.

II. Main Point of View: We have learned that student activism is not a terrorism
for: to oppose is not a crime; to fight for democratic rights is a must; and to
stand for change is a commitment.

III. Clincher: If people still misunderstand the concept of being a student activist,
try saying that it is like being a student hero, upholding human rights and
promoting visible change.

3 Concepts to be discussed through presentational aids:

 1. Opposition
2. Democratic Rights
3. Change

Audiovisual: The audiovisual to be used are projector, laptop, and speakers in order to
impart the message to the audience clearly.

References:

Adrian, M. (2019). “PUV Modernization, Here’s What you Need to Know”. Retrieved at
https://www.imoney.ph/articles/jeepney-puv-modernization-program/

Magallona, D. (2019). “Activism is under Attack in the Philippines”. Retrieved at

https://www.democratic-erosion.com/2019/12/16/activism-is-under-attack-in-the-
philippines/.

Pastor, P. (2020). “Students Cry: Activism is not Terrorism”. Retrieved at

https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/363810/students-cry-activism-is-not-terrorism/.

Romero, P. et.al (2020). “Philhealth Officials Face P15-Billion Fraud, Other Allegations;
Funds Seen to Run Out by 2022.” Retrieved at
https://www.onenews.ph/philhealth-officials-face-p15-billion-fraud-other-
allegations-funds-seen-to-run-out-by-2022

Federal News Network Staff. (2014). “Why is Change so Hard to Accomplish in the
Government?” Retrieved at
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/management/2014/06/why-is-change-so-hard-
to-accomplish-in-government/.

1987 Constitution of the Philippines. Retrieved at

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/the-1987-constitution-of-the-
republic-of-the-philippines/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-
philippines-article-iii/#:~:text=No%20law%20shall%20be%20passed,prohibiting
%20the%20free%20exercise%20thereof.

Philippine Daily Inquirer. “Philhealth Corruption Violates the Right to Health and Life”.
Retrieved at https://opinion.inquirer.net/133193/philhealth-corruption-violates-the-
right-to-health-and-life