Hontiveros: Anti-Terrorism Act may be used against opposition groups

The Anti-Terrorism Act that has been recently approved by the Senate on third and final reading may be used against organizations opposing the administration, according to Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday.

"It could be used to target left-wing or other organizations which are expressing dissent to the powers that be... Mahirap eh, if we are giving a more powerful instrument that may now or in the future be used by administrations na wala talagang pagtingin sa democratic na karapatan ng mga mamamayan," Hontiveros said in an interview on ANC television.

Hontiveros, along with Sentor Francis Pangilin on Wednesday voted against the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2019.

She also pointed out that she has concerns against the legislation's provision on preliminary proscription wherein suspected terrorist organizations will be required to prove that they are innocent within a certain period of time.

"Parang nabaligtad 'yung prinsipyo natin on innocent until proven guilty, naging probably guilty until proven innocent. Instead of the burden of proof being on the state, naging on the side of the organization," Hontiveros said.

She underscored that the government should never sacrifice freedom by upholding such measures in the name of human security, pointing out that this could result in abused and lowered standards for warrantless arrests in the country. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News