Council set for 'final deliberation' on anti-terror law implementing rules —Guevarra

The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) will meet on Wednesday for a "final deliberation" on the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Philippines' new anti-terrorism law, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Tuesday.

Guevarra confirmed that the IRR is set to be completed on Wednesday, October 14, after which it will be published.

The secretary earlier advised that it would be prudent for authorities to wait for the IRR before enforcing the law that took effect last July.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana agreed but said the law will be applied in the event of a terrorist act.

The anti-terrorism law mandates the ATC and the Department of Justice, "with the active participation of police and military institutions," to promulgate its IRR within 90 days after it takes effect.

The ATC is headed by the executive secretary with the national security adviser as vice chair, and the the secretaries of foreign affairs, national defense, interior and local government, finance, justice, and information and communications technology; and the executive director of the Anti-Money Laundering Council Secretariat as its members.

The IRR will be completed as the anti-terrorism law faces 37 petitions challenging its constitutionality before the Supreme Court (SC).

The petitions claimed that the law, which they argue has vague provisions and lacks safeguards, could legitimize alleged abuses of activists and humanitarian workers by state forces and endanger basic rights.

The SC has yet to announce new developments in the case. It previously said it would hold oral arguments but has not yet released a schedule and guidelines.—AOL, GMA News