Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said that the Anti-terrorism law (ATL) may be imposed even without the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), if the need arises.

Explaining further, Año noted this pertains to possible instances of “terror threat’’ in the country.

Since the ATL is already in effect, Año in an interview over ABS-CBN warned the lawless elements that authorities are ready and will not hesitate to enforce the law in the event of a huge “terrorist threat’’.

But Año said the DILG will still have to come out with the IRR since it is required by law.

However, Año said this will still be subject to the approval of Congress and the Senate.

"Tatapusin pa rin natin ang IRR requirement talaga yan (We will still complete the IRR requirement that is for sure),’’ Año said.

The DILG believes that the ATL will make the uniformed men in a better position to prevent terrorist acts.

Año stressed that past terrorist attacks could have been avoided if only the ATL existed then.

Also, Año noted that only one conviction was made since 2007 explaining the difficulty of making such arrests as the law then favors the suspects more than the law enforcers.

Allaying fears of rights violations, Año assured that law enforcers stand to face 10-year minimum jail terms if found guilty of abusive acts.

Año also insisted that the ATL will not be used to negate the Constitutional right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.

“Kapag halimbawa ginamitan niya ng anumang ibang pamamaraan, yung sinasabing torture, kasama rin yan sa ating paparusahan sa batas. (If for instance it is used for any other purpose like torture, that is punishable under the law),’’ Año assured.