MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has assured that policemen won’t abuse the powers under the controversial Anti-Terrorism Bill, which is now up for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.
PNP spokesperson Bernard Banac said in a radio interview on Sunday that they will conduct information campaign on their police officers to ensure that the proposed measure will be implemented properly.
“Magsasagawa po tayo ng information campaign para lahat ng ating pulis ay aware sa provisions ng panukalang batas,” Banac said in aninterview with DZBB.
“Ang nais lamang po ng pamahalaan, maging ang PNP, ay mabalanse ang ating karapatan at ang pagkakaroon ng kaayusan. Kailangan mabalanse ang rights at order,” he added.
The PNP spokesperson added that it is just right to pass the Anti-Terrorism Bill now to prevent the further prevalence of terrorism.
“May mga pangamba ang ating kababayan sa batas na iyan pero ito po ay para sa mga pinaghihinalaang terorista,” Banac said. “Hindi naman po agad agad isasailalim sa surveillance ang isang indibidwal. Dadaan pa po ‘yan sa masusing pag aaral.”
The proposed measure wants to extend the number of days suspected terrorists can be detained without a warrant of arrest – from three days under the current law to up to 14 days.
The bill also removed the provision under the Human Security Act that orders the payment of half a million pesos in damages for each day that a person wrongfully accused of terrorism is detained.
Any person who shall threaten to commit any act of terrorism, propose any terroristic acts or incite others to commit terrorism shall suffer the penalty of 12 years in prison under the bill.
The Senate has approved on February the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which seeks to repeal the Human Security Act of 2007 with stronger measures to allow the government to curtail supposed acts of terror.
A counterpart measure was approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading on Wednesday night clearing the way for President Duterte’s signature./PN
