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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House leader worried of anti-terror law's possible misapplication on Teves

House leader worried of anti-terror law's possible misapplication on Teves

Published Aug 4, 2023 03:24 am
Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. (Screenshot from Facebook)




A ranking congressman is urging the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to look into the designation of Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. as a terrorist to ensure that the anti-terror law is properly applied and is used effectively to prevent terrorism. This, as Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, echoed the worried on the possible misapplication of Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. “While we in Congress support all government efforts to address terrorism to and to prevent acts of terror, it is our responsibility to ensure that the laws we pass, including RA 11479, are used properly and for the purposes for which they were intended,” said the veteran solon. Teves has been out of the country since Feb. 28 and has ignored appeals from the House of Representatives leadership to come home and face the allegations against him. He has been tagged as the mastermind in the March 4 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. "We want justice for the late Gov. Roel Degamo and the innocent civilians slain when he was brutally and brazenly assassinated––and I believe Rep. Teves should come home and answer allegations that he masterminded this heinous crime," Abante said. “But as House HR Chair, my concern in this case is the application of RA 11479. The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 is meant to be a powerful tool in safeguarding our nation from threats posed by terrorists, but given its provisions it must be enforced judiciously and with proper regard for the rights and freedoms of our citizens,” he explained. Abante, who voted against the measure in 2020, pointed out that “during deliberations of RA 11479, a number of legislators, myself included, were concerned about the law’s provisions". “The designation of Rep. Teves and his co-accused as terrorists is a test case that the Joint Oversight Committee should look into to ensure that it does not set a precedent that could lead to abuses in the future," he said.

Related Tags

anti-terror law roel degamo Bienvenido Abante jr. Rep. Arnolfo Teves
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