PNP assures public anti-terror law won't be abused

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday gave the assurance the Anti-Terrorism Act will not be abused as it welcomed the passage of the law on Friday.

"PNP assures that it will not be abused and we shall  faithfully uphold all institutional mechanisms that provide safeguards to its implementation," it said in a statement.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed the anti-terror bill into law on Friday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said.

Duterte signed the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (Republic Act 11479) on Friday despite objections from various groups, including the United Nations human rights body and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Saturday said it will remain vigilant against human rights abuses after the said law was passed.

"With the law’s passage, CHR will hold on to the government’s commitment, alongside the sponsors and advocates of this law, that human rights will be upheld at all cost. This includes commitment to protect free speech; the right to dissent and petition redress for grievances; due process and presumption of innocence; and respect for human dignity and the value of human life among others," CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.

The law states that any person found guilty by the court of planning, training, preparing and facilitating the commission of terrorism will be penalized with life imprisonment without the benefit of parole. The same penalty will be imposed on a person found guilty of conspiracy to commit terrorism.

Under the measure, any person who will threaten to commit terrorism will be imprisoned for 12 years.

The same jail term will be imposed on those who will propose any terroristic act or incite others to commit terrorism.

At the same time, any person who will volunteer or join any organization, association or group of persons knowing that such is a terrorist organization will also be imprisoned for 12 years.

The same penalty will be imposed on any person found liable as an accessory in the commission of terrorism.

Critics have also warned against the up-to 24-day warrantless detention period for suspected terrorists, and the alleged authority of the Anti-Terrorism Council to authorize in writing the arrest of terrorism suspects.

Roque said however that developed countries had "more draconian" laws against terrorism, citing those in the US and the United Kingdom.

He said Philippine lawmakers behind the bill “looked at the European legislation as a model” in drafting the new law, which replaced the Human Security Act of 2007. —KG, GMA News