Senator Panfilo M. Lacson on Saturday said the numerous safeguards under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 would make abuses in its implementation very costly for law enforcers to commit.
“A mere non-compliance with the immediate written notification to the judge of the court nearest the place of arrest, as well as the CHR (Commission on Human Rights), not to mention technical surveillance or wiretapping on suspected terrorists sans (without) judicial authorization from the Court of Appeals and more can send them to prison for 10 years, absolute perpetual disqualification from holding public office, dismissal, forfeiture of retirement and all other benefits should deter abuses,” Lacson stressed.
Lacson, one of the authors of the ATL and chairman of the Senate national defense and security committee, noted that critics would not stop connecting whatever unfortunate and tragic incidents like the Jolo killing of Army soldiers to the Anti Terrorism Law.
“Nothing much I can do about that except to squarely confront them with facts,” he said.
Terror law hit
Meanwhile, a transport group has denounced the signing into law of the Anti-Terrorism Bill, saying this will further suppressed drivers calling out the government's jeepney phaseout and other “anti-poor” policies.
“We are strongly against President Duterte's move to sign the anti-terror bill into law. Duterte crushed our basic rights and it is just that we continue to oppose it,” Mody Floranda, national president of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston), said in Filipino.
According to Floranda, their group fears that the law will be used to further intensify the suppression of their rallies against the government's plan to phase out traditional jeepneys.
“Nowadays, when you complain, you are already a terrorist. This will just result in more arrests of innocent citizens like what happened to Piston 6,” he explained.
Six jeepney drivers, collectively known as Piston 6, were arrested last month when they held a protest against the government policy on the resumption of traditional jeepneys during the general community quarantine.
“We will not be afraid. We will fight for our families,” he said.