There is no need to fear the proposed bill that aims to strengthen the government's measures against terrorism as safeguards were put in place to ensure it will not be used against opposition and progressive groups, top defense and security officials assured the public on Sunday (May 31).
There is no need to fear the proposed bill that aims to strengthen the government’s measures against terrorism as safeguards were put in place to ensure it will not be used against opposition and progressive groups, top defense and security officials assured the public on Sunday .
“The people need not fear. The proposed law has safeguards of civil liberties and sanctions to law enforcement agencies,” he told reporters. Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. echoed Lorenzana’s statements as he assured law-abiding and peace-loving people that they have nothing to worry about.
Among the notable amendments in the new bill include an expanded definition of “terrorist acts,” an extended amount of time a suspected terrorist can be detained after a warrantless arrest, the removal of the P500,000 fine for law enforcers who detain a suspect acquitted of terrorism, and the prolonged period that an individual’s communications be put under surveillance.
On the issue of wiretapping, he said it may only be carried out upon the authorization of the courts. As for the dropping of the P500,000 penalty for wrongful arrests, Esperon said that particular provision in the Human Security Act was what it made it a “dead letter law” and “ineffective.”
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