MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has allayed the fears of many on the controversial anti-terror law or Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which he described as a “much needed” legal weapon to fight terrorism in the country.
In an address to the public aired past midnight on Wednesday, the President said that law-abiding citizens of the country should not fear the law, which seeks to strengthen the country’s anti-terrorism campaign.
“For the law-abiding citizen of this country, I am addressing you with all sincerity. ‘Wag ho kayong matakot kung hindi ka terorista,” Duterte said.
“Kung hindi mo sisirain ang gobyerno, pasabugin mo ang simbahan, pasabugin mo ‘yong public utilities just to derail, matumba tuloy ang bayan,” he added. “[O]nce you blow up ‘yong simbahan, blow up mo ‘yong market place… the right to defend itself accrues to the government heavily.”
Duterte knew that the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 will be contested before the Supreme Court but he said that the newly-signed law gives the country the legal weapons to fight terrorism.
“Ang terrorism, hindi ito isa, dalawang putok as what happened in Mindanao and other places. Ang ginagamit kasi nito, nila ay bomba. Ang bomba niyan, sa lahat, maski sa simbahan may tama o may bukol,” Duterte said.
Under the law, persons who shall threaten to commit terrorism, and those who will propose any terroristic acts or incite others to commit terrorism shall suffer imprisonment of 12 years.
Suspected persons can be detained for 14 days without a warrant of arrest with an allowable 10-day extension. A 60-day surveillance on suspected terrorists can also be conducted by the police or the military, with an allowable 30-day extension./PN
