Duterte certifies as urgent new anti-terrorism bill
Published Jun 1, 2020 12:00 am
By Martin Sadongdong
President Duterte has certified as urgent the new anti-terrorism bill that seeks to repeal Republic Act No. 9372 (Human Security Act of 2007).
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (ACE MORANDANTE / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a letter to House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, a copy of which was sent by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to reporters, Duterte certified the necessity of the immediate enactment of House Bill (HB) No. 6875 (An Act Defining, Preventing and Penalizing Terrorist Acts, Repealing for the Purpose Republic Act No. 9372 Otherwise Known As The Human Security Act of 2007 And Appropriating Funds Therefor."
In the letter, Duterte said the move to expedite the passage of the proposed bill is "to address the urgent need to strengthen the law on anti-terrorism in order to adequately and effectively contain the menace of terrorist acts for the preservation of national security and the promotion of general welfare."
The offices of Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Secretary Adelino Sitoy, head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office were furnished copies of the President’s letter.
Over the weekend, the House committees on public order and safety and on national defense and security adopted the Senate version of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (Senate Bill No. 1083) which seeks to repeal the Human Security Act of 2007.
The said House Committees unanimously approved HB 6875 and called for immediate plenary approval. Duterte’s certification will allow the Lower House to pass the measure before the June 2 adjournment of Congress.
The new bill expands the definition of "terrorist acts," authorizes wiretapping of suspected terrorists for a maximum of 90 days, allows the detention of a suspect for 24 days despite the absence of a warrant of arrest, removal of the P500,000 fine on law enforcers who detain a suspect later acquitted of terrorism, and the grant of authority to the Anti Money Laundering Council to “pry into the bank accounts of suspected terrorist groups.”
Lawmakers who oppose the measure, including senators Francis Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, and Congressmen Jose Christopher "Kit" Belmonte and Carlos Zarate, expressed fears that the bill will be used to "silence" individuals who oppose the government.
In a statement, the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) said, “The bill, should it become law, will only serve to worsen the climate of impunity that has made the Philippines fertile ground for extra-judicial killings, illegal arrests, and crackdowns against activists and progressive organizations and even ordinary citizens.”
Veteran independent Rep. Edcel Lagman said the President’s decision to certify House Bill 6875 as an urgent administration measure contradicts his supposed stand to speed up measures that would help the country fight off the effects of the pandemic.
Lagman said the proposal will result to “further tightening” of the noose of suspected terrorists “at the expense of the protection of human rights and civil liberties like critical dissent and expression of grievances.”
Lorenzana said the fears about the potential abuse of the law "have no basis."
"Binasa ko 'yung panukalang batas, 'yung karapatan ng tao ay may sapat na provisions at 'yung law enforcement agencies ay may sapat na kaparusahan sa nag-abuso (I read the proposed law, and there are sufficient provisions to protect the rights of the people and sufficient punishment against abusive law enforcement agencies)," he said. Senate President Vicente Sotto III likewise dismissed concerns over the measure that will strengthen government measures against terrorism.
"I suggest they read the bill first before reacting. Terrorists or their supporters are the only ones who will be afraid of the bill," he said in a message to Manila Bulletin.
"It's as good as passed. It will just need my signature if it comes back to us after ratification then I will transmit to the President," Sotto said in a separate text message.
Senator Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate Defense Committee and sponsor of SB No. 1083 maintained the bill contains enough safeguards to protect human rights and prevent abuses. (With reports from Jeffrey Damicog, Ben R. Rosario, and Vanne Elaine P. Terrazola)
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (ACE MORANDANTE / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a letter to House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, a copy of which was sent by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to reporters, Duterte certified the necessity of the immediate enactment of House Bill (HB) No. 6875 (An Act Defining, Preventing and Penalizing Terrorist Acts, Repealing for the Purpose Republic Act No. 9372 Otherwise Known As The Human Security Act of 2007 And Appropriating Funds Therefor."
In the letter, Duterte said the move to expedite the passage of the proposed bill is "to address the urgent need to strengthen the law on anti-terrorism in order to adequately and effectively contain the menace of terrorist acts for the preservation of national security and the promotion of general welfare."
The offices of Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Secretary Adelino Sitoy, head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office were furnished copies of the President’s letter.
Over the weekend, the House committees on public order and safety and on national defense and security adopted the Senate version of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (Senate Bill No. 1083) which seeks to repeal the Human Security Act of 2007.
The said House Committees unanimously approved HB 6875 and called for immediate plenary approval. Duterte’s certification will allow the Lower House to pass the measure before the June 2 adjournment of Congress.
The new bill expands the definition of "terrorist acts," authorizes wiretapping of suspected terrorists for a maximum of 90 days, allows the detention of a suspect for 24 days despite the absence of a warrant of arrest, removal of the P500,000 fine on law enforcers who detain a suspect later acquitted of terrorism, and the grant of authority to the Anti Money Laundering Council to “pry into the bank accounts of suspected terrorist groups.”
Lawmakers who oppose the measure, including senators Francis Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, and Congressmen Jose Christopher "Kit" Belmonte and Carlos Zarate, expressed fears that the bill will be used to "silence" individuals who oppose the government.
In a statement, the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) said, “The bill, should it become law, will only serve to worsen the climate of impunity that has made the Philippines fertile ground for extra-judicial killings, illegal arrests, and crackdowns against activists and progressive organizations and even ordinary citizens.”
Veteran independent Rep. Edcel Lagman said the President’s decision to certify House Bill 6875 as an urgent administration measure contradicts his supposed stand to speed up measures that would help the country fight off the effects of the pandemic.
Lagman said the proposal will result to “further tightening” of the noose of suspected terrorists “at the expense of the protection of human rights and civil liberties like critical dissent and expression of grievances.”
Lorenzana said the fears about the potential abuse of the law "have no basis."
"Binasa ko 'yung panukalang batas, 'yung karapatan ng tao ay may sapat na provisions at 'yung law enforcement agencies ay may sapat na kaparusahan sa nag-abuso (I read the proposed law, and there are sufficient provisions to protect the rights of the people and sufficient punishment against abusive law enforcement agencies)," he said. Senate President Vicente Sotto III likewise dismissed concerns over the measure that will strengthen government measures against terrorism.
"I suggest they read the bill first before reacting. Terrorists or their supporters are the only ones who will be afraid of the bill," he said in a message to Manila Bulletin.
"It's as good as passed. It will just need my signature if it comes back to us after ratification then I will transmit to the President," Sotto said in a separate text message.
Senator Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate Defense Committee and sponsor of SB No. 1083 maintained the bill contains enough safeguards to protect human rights and prevent abuses. (With reports from Jeffrey Damicog, Ben R. Rosario, and Vanne Elaine P. Terrazola)