The Department of Justice (DOJ) will be consulting with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police (PNP) concerning the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
(TOTO LOZANO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra pointed this out on Monday, amid proposals made by newly appointed AFP chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay to include social media usage in the IRR.
“This is the platform now being used by the terrorists to radicalize and even plan terrorist acts," Gapay pointed out.
"That's why we need to have specific provisions in the IRR pertaining to regulating the use of social media and, of course, likewise regulating materials in the manufacture of IEDs," he added.
Guevarra acknowledged this saying, “We shall consult our law enforcement and military institutions as we go along."
“We shall also coordinate with intelligence agencies for inputs,” he added.
Once the draft has been finished, Guevarra said it will be presented before the Anti-Terrorism Council.
Guevarra expressed confidence the draft of the IRR will be finished “within the 90-day period provided under the anti-terrorism law” which he said took effect last July 18.
He remains unsure if provisions concerning social media will be included in the IRR.