Safeguards included in anti-terror law, but public trust can’t be imposed —Drilon

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, who voted yes to the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, on Wednesday said he exerted his best effort to ensure that the measure would not be abused.

In a virtual Kapihan sa Manila Bay, the senator said he strived to strike a balance between the needs to protect human rights and to strengthen the country's anti-terrorism law as he stressed that the Human Security Act of 2007 has been "very ineffective."

"I introduced 14 amendments all designed to balance and protect the rights of the people and all I can say is I tried my best. I can face anyone and say I am not favoring anyone," Drilon, a former Justice Secretary, said.

"Whether or not it was sufficient or it was correct, that is a matter for the court to decide... I have done my best," he added.

The controversial anti-terror law, opposed by several human rights advocates and militant groups for the possibility of being used to stifle dissent, was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this month.

The constitutionality of the measure has immediately been challenged by various groups before the Supreme Court.

Senators Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros, fellow senators of Drilon in the minority bloc, voted against the said law during the Senate deliberations in February.

'Trust is earned, not imposed'

As a lawmaker, Drilon said Congress cannot force the public to let go of their trust issues with the government, with regards to the implementation of the anti-terror law.

"That matter is left to the law enforcement agencies to earn. Respect is always earned, never imposed. Trust is always earned, never imposed," he said. "It's a question  that you cannot place in the law."

Among the controversial provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act that have been pointed out by critics were the extension of the 36-hour detention period for those arrested without warrant up to 24 days; the court's issuance of a preliminary proscription order against suspected terrorists within 72 hours; and the allegedly "ambiguous" definition of what constitutes terrorism.

Other proponents such as Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senate committee on national defense chairperson Panfilo Lacson have repeatedly maintained that safeguards stated in the law would protect against the feared abuses. — BM, GMA News