Sotto reminds PNP anti-terror law is in effect: ‘Ano hinihintay? Pasko?’

Senate President Vicente Sotto III reminded the Philippine National Police on Thursday that the anti-terror law is in effect amid discussions of declaring martial law in Sulu where the deadly twin blasts transpired last Monday.

"Attention PNP- the Anti Terror Law is in effect, with or without IRR! Ano hinihintay? Pasko?" he said on Twitter.

Ano hinihintay? Pasko? https://t.co/dCfYW6oscH

— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) August 27, 2020

In a separate interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Wednesday, Sotto said the Anti-Terrorism Act, which was enacted last month, is already executory.

"Batas na 'yun. Hindi kailangan ng IRR doon. Kung gusto nila gumawa ng IRR, go ahead pero executory immediately 'yung batas kaya huwag na nilang sabihing hihintayin nila IRR," he said.

Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana on Tuesday recommended placing Sulu under martial law after the twin blasts killed 15 people and injured dozens in Jolo.

Philippine National Police spokesperson Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac said martial law could "enhance" the implementation of the anti-terror law.

"Although we are still awaiting for the IRR to be released by the Anti-Terrorism Council. But in the absence of IRR, 'yan, we think imposing martial law would help a lot in maintaining peace and order in the area," Banac said.

No need for martial law

But Sotto, along with other senators, maintained there is no need for martial law, considering the presence of the anti-terror law.

Under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, 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.

Those 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.

It also allows up to 24 days of warrantless detention period for suspected terrorists.

'Expedite IRR'

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson, principal sponsor of the anti-terror law, urged the concerned agencies to expedite the release of the IRR.

"Ang kailangan lang dito madaliin ang IRR [ng anti-terror law] para sa ganoon ang impetus ng ating law enforcement pati ng military naroon na, pati ang kanilang kumpyansa, dahil protektado sila ng batas," he said in a separate online interview.

He added that martial law can only be declared in Sulu if the twin bombings in Jolo can be connected to invasion or rebellion. — RSJ, GMA News