Kiko urges DILG to focus on COVID-19 response, not anti-terror bill promotion

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Thursday reminded the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to shift its focus to COVID-19 efforts and not on the promotion of the anti-terror bill to local government leaders.

"Kesa bigyang pokus ng DILG ang mas maigting at malawakang contact tracing at pagtulong sa mga locally stranded individuals, kasama pa rin sa pinagtuunan ng pansin ng DILG at ni DILG Secretary Año ang pagkalap ng malawakang suporta mula sa mga LGU ukol sa anti-terror bill," Pangilinan said in a statement.

"Kung kailan abala ang mga lokal na pamahalaan sa pagtulong sa kanilang mga kababayan, nagawa pa ng DILG isingit ang usapin ng anti-terror bill. Suporta nga ba, o 'loyalty check' para sa mga kaalyado ng administrasyon?" he added.

The opposition senator's statement came on the heels of Bayan Muna partylist Representative Carlos Zarate's claim that LGUs are being forced to sign a document stating their support to the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act.

The congressman said if LGUs did not sign the document, they will be red-tagged or be branded as supporters of terrorism.

The DILG already dismissed the allegation and described it as a "complete falsehood and an affront and insult to the dignity, intelligence, and integrity of all local government officials nationwide."

The anti-terror bill, now up for President Rodrigo Duterte's signature, drew opposition from various groups who raised "problematic" provisions which they claimed could lead to human rights abuses.

Among the controversial provisions of the measure were the extension of detention period for those arrested without warrant from the current 36 hours to 14 days, which is extendable by 10 more days; the court's issuance of preliminary proscription order within 72 hours; and the allegedly "ambiguous" definition of what constitutes terrorism.

On the other hand, Senator Panfilo Lacson—principal sponsor of the bill—stood firm that the proposed law is anchored on the Bill of Rights and that enough safeguards are in place. -NB, GMA News