Communications Secretary Martin Andanar lauded the signing of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, saying it maintains the Duterte administration's stand to combat terrorism while ensuring human rights.
Andanar made the statement after President Duterte signed the controversial measure into law Friday.
In a statement, Andanar expressed support to Duterte's move to affirm the administration's proactive campaign against terrorism by signing Republic Act No. 11479.
The new legislation addresses the flaws in the Human Security Act of 2007 which Andanar said served as a "dead letter law" and was severely underutilized.
"With the law, a more discerning mechanism is in place to prevent and deter the threats and dangers posed by terrorists to the Filipino people," he said.
The Palace official said the new law will help "advance our country's national security interests" as he cited the Philippines' ranking in the Global Terrorism Index of 2019. The Philippines was the Southeast Asian country that ranked in the top ten countries most impacted by terrorism based on the said index.
Human rights
Meanwhile, Andanar said the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) will support all relevant issues in addressing terrorism while adhering to human rights and the rule of law.
"The Duterte administration stands with a firm position of undertaking stricter measures against terrorists, including foreign ones, while maintaining the respect for human rights as we have ensured safeguards against abuse," he said.
"Let us all work together to defeat terrorism and fulfill the President's vision of a safe and secure, terrorism-free Philippines," he added.
President Duterte signed the bill into law despite calls to junk it because of supposedly unconstitutional provisions that violate human rights and are prone to abuse.
Read more: Anti-Terrorism Bill now a law