MANILA – Vice President Leni Robredo has raised concern about the enactment of the controversial Anti-Terror Bill, warning of draconian and arbitrary provisions could lead to spate of wrongful arrests.
Robredo issued the statement after the House of Representatives have passed on third and final reading on Wednesday the measure, which was adopted from the Senate version passed earlier this year.
“Terorismo ba talaga ang tuon ng Anti-Terror Bill? O gusto lang nitong bigyan ng kapangyarihan ang estado para bansagang terorista kung sino man ang kanilang gusto?” Robredo said.
The Anti-Terror bill, which President Rodrigo Duterte certified as urgent, penalizes any person who incites others to commit terrorism by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, banners or other representations with a jail time of 12 years.
“Sa kabilang banda, maraming probisyon ang nakatutok sa pagpapalawak ng kung sino ang puwedeng bansagang terorista, at sa pagbabawas ng mga checks and balances laban sa mga wrongful arrest,” Robredo added.
The bill allows surveillance on suspected terrorists. It would remove the existing provision of the Human Security Law imposing P500,000 a day penalty on authorities for detention of any person acquitted of terrorism charges.
“Nagdudulot ito ng pangamba na maaaring gamitin ang batas upang siilin ang karapatan nating magpahayag ng malayang saloobin, especially in the wrong hands,” Robredo added.
Malacañang on the other hand defended President Duterte’s urgency to turn the measure into a law with the terrorist groups continuing their attack even if the country is under COVID-19 pandemic.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque dismissed the criticism and said elements of the bill were patterned on those used in countries that had dealt effectively with extremism.
“Hindi po tumitigil sa pag atake ang mga terorista sa sibilyan maski meron po tayong COVID-19 pandemic,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual press conference in Davao City on Thursday.
Roque also said that, even if the controversial measure was certified as urgent by President Duterte, he will still review it before signing it into law.
“Bagamat it was certified as urgent, hindi naman automatic na pipirmahan ‘yan ni Presidente. That is still subject for final review by the President,” the Palace spokesperson said./PN
