As the Philippines grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, another crisis looms – one that concerns our basic rights and freedoms. JunkTerrorBill
In calling for its passage, Duterte cited the"urgent need" to amend the anti-terrorism law"to adequately and effectively contain the menace of terrorists acts for the preservation of national security and the promotion of general welfare."Civic groups and rights lawyers sounded the alarm on certain provisions of Senate Bill No. 1083 or the Philippine Anti-Terrorism Bill, warning it could endanger basic rights and freedoms.
For one, lawyers warned the proposed bill contained provisions that practically criminalized opposition against the government as it would authorize the arrest and detention of anyone who expresses dissent to government. This was seen in Section 29 of the proposed bill, which allows the Anti-Terror Council made up of top cabinet officials to do functions otherwise reserved for courts, like ordering the arrests of people it has designated to be terrorists.
The bill also authorizes any law enforcement agent to arrest and detain without warrant"a person suspected of committing any of the acts" punished by the bill, as long as it is authorized by the ATC. House opposition members had also questioned certain provisions of the bill, as broader definitions on terroristic acts and fewer restrictions on law enforcement could leave the measure prone to abuse.
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