“Anti-Terrorism Bill” Signed into Law

The controversial anti-terrorism bill was passed into law as President Rodrigo Duterte signed it on Friday, July 3.

This was confirmed by Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque through his official Facebook page on the same day.

“We confirm that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed into law Republic Act No. 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, today, 3 July 2020,” said Roque on his statement in his Facebook page.

The main purpose of the said law is to protect the country from “any” means of terrorism.

The definition of “terrorism” includes extensive damage and destruction to a government facility, private property or critical infrastructure, death or serious bodily injury to any person, create an atmosphere or message of fear, seriously destabilize or destroy the fundamental political, economic and social structures of the country.

Planning, training, threat, and facilitating to propose and incite any terrorist activity by any means such as writings, proclamations, banners, emblems, and even speeches will also be considered as a criminal act according to the law.

Guilty individuals will have to face a life sentence without parole.

Supporters of the law, primarily from the military and police forces also said that this is the way to end any means of terrorism in the country as it primarily targets “terrorists” who wish to do harm that might compromise the life of innocent people and servicemen on duty.

“Terrorism, as we often said, strikes anytime and anywhere. It is a crime against the people and humanity; thus, the fight against terrorism requires a comprehensive approach to contain terrorist threat,” Roque added.

The bill however is not without possible “loopholes,” as human rights groups, the legal sector, and even the Bangsamoro government expressed concerns regarding the then Anti-Terrorism Bill.

“We call attention to the possible unconstitutionality and avoid muddling it with issues of ‘wisdom,’ trust, preference, labeling, and motherhood statements,” said in a statement by Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) president Atty. Domingo Egon Cayosa.

The Bangsamoro Transition Authority also adopted a resolution urging President Duterte to “review and address the issue of vagueness” of the measure. The Bangsamoro government worries on further abuse of Mindanaoan Muslims, to which they are already experiencing, according to Bangsamoro Parliament member Amir Mawallil, per CNN.

Furthermore, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr said “Maaari” when asked if a person can be tagged as a terrorist based on what they post on social media during a virtual press briefing, per Rappler.

Lawyers immediately filed a petition to the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the new Law a day after being signed into such. (MLC)