MANILA – Contrary to the fears of some, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the newly passed anti-terror bill that allows the warrantless arrest and two-week detention of suspected terrorists has enough safeguards against abuse.
Lacson said in a media briefing that there is legal procedure to be followed, unlike what is being raised by opposition senators Francis Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros, whom he said earlier that the measure may be used to silence administration critics.
“Lahat naman may legal procedures na susundin… Naroon lahat ng safeguards,” Lacson said.
Under the measure that was passed by the Senate, suspected terrorists may only be arrested when the crime “has just been committed, about to be committed or [is] being committed,” the senator said.
Authorities who will conduct warrantless arrests need to notify the Court of Appeals, and inform the Commission on Human Rights and a judge who is “nearest the place of arrest” before conducting the apprehension, he said.
“Suspects’ families will be given visitation rights, while visits of legal counsels will be unlimited,” Lacson said.
The Senate’s approved version of the Anti-Terrorism Act increased the period of detention by nearly 10 fold to 14 days from 36 hours to “be at par with other countries,” according to Lacson.
“Naiwanan tayo ng ibang countries, European, western countries at saka ating neighboring countries dito,” Lacson said. “Ang iniiwasan natin is to make the Philippines a safe haven for terrorist kasi napakagaan ng ating batas, napakahina.”
Lacson also explained that the removal of a P500,000 fine for each day a person is wrongfully detained was to not discourage the law enforcers from filing serious charges like terrorism.
“Even the Armed Forces of the Philippines are hesitant to file charges using the Human Security Act kasi takot sila pagka na-dismiss ang kaso pamultahin sila ng P500,000 per day of detention,” Lacson said.
“Even in the Marawi siege, hindi sila nag-file ng cases in violation of the Human Security Act… Kaya naging virtual dead letter law ang RA 9732. Hindi mai-apply,” added the senator./PN
