Bato asks public to give anti-terror law a chance; Biazon says it should be used only vs. terrorists

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa and Muntinlupa Representative Ruffy Biazon on Saturday aired their thoughts on the passing of the Anti-Terrorism Act, with the former calling on the public to give it a chance and the latter reminding authorities it should be "used only against terrorists."

"Let's give this a chance dahil ito ay landmark legislation ito. Kapag ito ay inabuso ng ating implementors, siguradong mananagot sila dahil mabigat ang safeguards na inilagay natin dito... Maraming pananagutan ang pag-abuso sa batas na ito," dela Rosa said in a radio interview.

Dela Rosa was responding to critics saying the law may be abused.

"If I may quote 'yung isang kakampi natin sa House of Representatives, si Congresswoman Lucy Torres, ang sinabi niya, kahit anong batas naman ay puwedeng abusuhin kung talagang may intention na abusuhin," he added.

The senator also thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for signing the Anti-Terrorism Act on Friday.

"Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Pangulo dahil it has gone through real study... Lahat ng mga abogado sa Malacañang pinag-aralan 'yan at wala naman silang nakitang unconstitutional so pinirmahan niya," he said.

"So nagpapasalamat tayo kay Pangulong Duterte dahil isa 'yan sa pangako ng kanyang administrasyon. He rose up to the challenge," dela Rosa said.

The senator said critics can always go to the Supreme Court to challenge the law.

"Normal naman 'yan 'pag 'di nila nagustuhan. They can always challenge before the Supreme Court (SC). Let's wait and see," he said.

One such group already filed a petition on Saturday before the SC. A group of lawyers and Bro. Armin Luistro, Education secretary during the Aquino administration, filed with the SC a petition challenging the constitutionality of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

'Only against terrorists'

Meanwhile, Biazon congratulated state security forces on the passage of the anti-terror legislation.

"As one of those who have been working closely with the anti-terrorism proponents, I congratulate our state security forces for achieving what they asked Congress for—-a stronger and more potent law against terrorists," he said in a statement.

Biazon however reminded them to use the law "only against terrorists" and ensure the rights of law-abiding citizens are safeguarded. 

"I would just like to remind them that their vigilance in employing the law should include ensuring that it is used only against terrorists, and with the highest regard for civil and political rights of law abiding citizens," he said. —KG, GMA News