Sen. Sotto insists Anti-Terrorism Act won't be used to silence dissent

The Anti-Terrorism Act approved by the upper chamber of Congress would not be used to silence groups that opposed the administration, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said on Friday.

"Let me also assure our friends and allies critical of the government that this measure cannot be used to harass and silence them," Sotto said in a statement.

"There are sufficient safeguards in the legislation that bars law enforcers from abusing the law and using it to persecute those who are perceived to be political enemies of the State," he added.

The measure was approved by the Senate on third and final reading on Wednesday. Only Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan voted against it.

Hontiveros warned that the legislation would result in abuse and lowered standards for warrantless arrests.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, on the other hand, was confident that the proposed law had enough safeguards to prevent human rights violations.

Punitive and legal sanctions

Sotto also believed that the Senate approval of the Anti-Terrorism Act was timely and supported the government's intensified efforts to combat local and international terrorism.

"The measure guarantees that those who will be part of bringing terror among our people will be made accountable and punished for their actions," Sotto said.

"We remain hopeful that the punitive and legal sanctions will discourage our people, especially the young, from giving up their freedoms and joining the cause of terrorist groups."

Under the proposed measure, state forces would be allowed to surveil suspected terrorists for 60 to 90 days after securing a judicial authorization from the Court of Appeals.

The reglementary period or number of days a suspected terrorist could be detained was also increased from the current 36 hours to 14 days.

The proposed law also provides for the designation of certain regional trial courts (RTCs) as Anti-Terror Courts to fast-track the disposition of cases. — Dona Magsino/DVM, GMA News