Panelo says anti-terrorism bill should be signed into law
Published Jun 12, 2020 12:00 am
By Genalyn Kabiling
The anti-terrorism bill will serve as a "powerful weapon" to contain terror threats without violating the rights of the accused, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo assured the public on Friday.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Panelo made the argument in recommending to President Duterte that he sign into law the security measure, noting that it has adequate safeguards to prevent abuse. "After a careful and thoughtful review of the Anti-Terrorism Bill, this representation has recommended the approval and the signing of the proposed legislative measure to the President," Panelo said in a statement. "The proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 will serve as a powerful weapon against participants (in) these lawless actions, the threat of which is extremely imminent during our current times," he said. Panelo explained that there was an urgent need to strengthen the country's anti-terrorism policy "to adequately and effectively contain the menace of terroristic acts for the preservation of national security and the promotion of general welfare." The bill seeking to give the government more teeth to address terrorism is undergoing review by the Office of the President. The measure includes provisions on 14-day detention of suspected terrorists, that can be extended for another 10 days, as well a a longer period of surveillance of suspects from 30 days to 60 days. Many groups, including lawmakers and rights advocates, have called for the juking of the anti-terror bill due to concerns it may be probe to abuse and rights violations especially against critics of the government. Panelo however made it clear that the proposed anti-terror law will be used solely against terrorists, not government critics. "The bill contains sufficient safeguards which ensure that its provisions would be implemented and enforced against those who intend to sow and create a condition of widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the populace through lawless actions,” Panelo said. He said this will done without violating the latter's political and civil rights, as protected by the 1987 Constitution and recognized through globally accepted norms. Panelo added that remedies are in place under the Constitution and other relevant laws against abuses on the part of government agents, such as availing protective writs from courts of law. He advised people opposing the anti-terrorism bill to study the measure, saying their fears were "more imagined than real." By strengthening the country's anti-terrorism arsenal, he said the country would effectively be complying with its obligations to the international community by countering and eliminating terroristic acts through proper legislation. He said UN Security Council passed a resolution in 2017, that stated that member states have the primary responsibility in countering terrorist acts and violent extremism conducive to terrorism.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Panelo made the argument in recommending to President Duterte that he sign into law the security measure, noting that it has adequate safeguards to prevent abuse. "After a careful and thoughtful review of the Anti-Terrorism Bill, this representation has recommended the approval and the signing of the proposed legislative measure to the President," Panelo said in a statement. "The proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 will serve as a powerful weapon against participants (in) these lawless actions, the threat of which is extremely imminent during our current times," he said. Panelo explained that there was an urgent need to strengthen the country's anti-terrorism policy "to adequately and effectively contain the menace of terroristic acts for the preservation of national security and the promotion of general welfare." The bill seeking to give the government more teeth to address terrorism is undergoing review by the Office of the President. The measure includes provisions on 14-day detention of suspected terrorists, that can be extended for another 10 days, as well a a longer period of surveillance of suspects from 30 days to 60 days. Many groups, including lawmakers and rights advocates, have called for the juking of the anti-terror bill due to concerns it may be probe to abuse and rights violations especially against critics of the government. Panelo however made it clear that the proposed anti-terror law will be used solely against terrorists, not government critics. "The bill contains sufficient safeguards which ensure that its provisions would be implemented and enforced against those who intend to sow and create a condition of widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the populace through lawless actions,” Panelo said. He said this will done without violating the latter's political and civil rights, as protected by the 1987 Constitution and recognized through globally accepted norms. Panelo added that remedies are in place under the Constitution and other relevant laws against abuses on the part of government agents, such as availing protective writs from courts of law. He advised people opposing the anti-terrorism bill to study the measure, saying their fears were "more imagined than real." By strengthening the country's anti-terrorism arsenal, he said the country would effectively be complying with its obligations to the international community by countering and eliminating terroristic acts through proper legislation. He said UN Security Council passed a resolution in 2017, that stated that member states have the primary responsibility in countering terrorist acts and violent extremism conducive to terrorism.