AFP spox: Nothing in the anti-terror bill adds any ‘new power’ to military

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday welcomed the passing of the controversial anti-terrorism bill by the House of Representatives on third and final reading.

Amid concerns raised regarding the proposed measure, AFP spokesman Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo clarified that from what is stated in the bill, there will be no "new power" which will be given to the military once it is already enforced.

"From what has been reported to me so far is that nothing in the enrolled bill to be sent to the President for his consideration adds any new power to the Armed Forces of the Philippines," Arevalo said in a press statement.

"We reserve further comment until the proposed legislation is signed into law by the President and the IRRs are out so we can study the law and the how’s of its implementation," he added.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) commander Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, for his part, said the bill would enhance the fight against lawless elements in his area of responsibility.

New capabilities could be introduced to the military, Sobejana said.

"Talagang magkaroon na tayo ng focus in as far as fighting terrorism is concerned, ang kailangan lang dito together with that bill is further capacitate our units in the Armed Forces," Sobejana told reporters.

"Although sa ngayon with our modernization program nandiyan naman halos 'yung mga kagamitan natin so with this issuance siguro meron pang karagdagang capabilities ang i-introduce sa organization espcially on intelligence aspects," he added.

Voting 173 in the affirmative, 31 negative and 29 abstentions, the lower chamber of Congress approved House Bill 6875, which seeks to strengthen the government’s fight against terrorism and virtually repeals the Human Security Act of 2007.

The Senate's version of the measure was approved on third and final reading last February.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier certified the measure as urgent "in order to adequately and effectively contain the menace of terrorist acts for the preservation of national security and the promotion of general welfare."

The proposed measure defines terrorism as an act committed by a person within or outside the Philippines who engages in activities intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person or endanger's a person's life, and to cause extensive damage or destruction to a government or public facility, public place or private property.

Terrorism is likewise committed by a person who engages in acts intended to cause extensive interference with, damage or destruction to critical infrastructure, and develops, manufactures, possesses, acquires, transports, supplies, or uses weapons, explosives or of biological, nuclear, radiological or chemical weapons.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has assured the public that critics of the government would not be considered as terrorists following concerns from some groups that the anti-terror bill may be used to target individuals expressing dissent against the government.

Lorenzana added that the proposed measure would not give law enforcers a "blanket authority" to tag anyone as a terrorist. — RSJ, GMA News