Anti-terror bill takes center stage in Independence Day rallies

Under cloudy weather and observing social distancing, groups from all over Metro Manila on Friday marked Independence Day with protest actions condemning the anti-terrorism bill.

The demonstrations were held in UP Diliman, De La Salle University and in front of the Commission on Human Rights with a call to the government to "junk" the anti-terrorism bill.

Mga militanteng grupo, nagdaos ng "mañanita" sa harap ng CHR upang ipanawagan ang pagbasura sa Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 | via @MMakalalad pic.twitter.com/JSzktulvs7

— GMA News (@gmanews) June 12, 2020

LOOK: Iba't ibang grupo, nagsagawa ng rally sa De La Salle University ngayong Araw ng Kalayaan. Giit nila "Junk Terror Bill." | via @Isa_Umali, @dzbb pic.twitter.com/dAkQSuifPL

— GMA News (@gmanews) June 12, 2020

At UP Diliman, police checkpoints were seen ahead of a "mañanita protest" -- a swipe at National Capital Region Police Office chief  Police Major General Debold Sinas, accused of violating quarantine protocols when he held a mananita during his birthday on May 8.

LOOK: Nagtayo ng police checkpoint sa CP Garcia entrance ng UP Diliman kung saan magkakaroon ng "mañanita protest" laban sa Anti-Terror Bill ngayong Araw ng Kalayaan, ayon kay YouScooper Noel. pic.twitter.com/kai8jpCv6Q

— YouScoop (@YouScoop) June 12, 2020

The anti-terrorism bill, which seeks to replace the Human Security Act, the country's existing law against terrorism, is being reviewed by Malacañang after it was passed by Congress amid concerns on some of its provisions.

Critics have said that the proposed law may empower the government to go after legitimate dissent. They have also warned against the up-to 24-day warrantless detention period for suspected terrorists, and the alleged authority of the Anti-Terrorism Council, a body created under the law, to authorize in writing the arrest of terrorism suspects.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, principal author of the bill, has refuted the latter concern.

Duterte’s spokesperson, Harry Roque, said the critics may appeal before the SC once the anti-terror bill becomes a law. --KBK, GMA News