MANILA – Filipinos can expect peaceful nights as the controversial Anti-Terrorism Law takes effect this Sunday, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said.
During a pre-State of a Nation Address forum, Año, former chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the law could bring a more secure community especially for Filipino children.
“At ngayon batas na ang Anti-Terrorism Law, mas magiging mahimbing ang mga gabi dahil alam natin ligtas ang ating mga anak laban sa mga nagbabadyang nakawin ang kanilang mga kinabukasan,” Año said.
“Our children deserve to be raised in safe and secure communities, so let us give them an environment where they are free to dream and aim for a better future,” the DILG secretary added.
Under the law, persons who shall threaten to commit terrorism, and those who will propose any terroristic acts or incite others to commit terrorism shall suffer imprisonment of 12 years.
Suspected persons can be detained for 14 days without a warrant of arrest with an allowable 10-day extension. A 60-day surveillance on suspected terrorists can also be conducted by the police or the military, with an allowable 30-day extension.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, defended his support on the measure saying he exerted effort to have a balance “between the human rights of individuals and the need of the state to repel terrorism.”
“I signed it on the basis of my best judgment that strikes a balance between protecting our people against abuses by the state and protecting the state itself,” Drilon said during the virtual Kapihan sa Manila Bay.
“All I can say is I tried my best. I can face anyone and say I am not favoring anyone,” he added. “It was in my desire to have a balance between the desire to prevent terrorism and balance it with the rights of the people. I have done my best.”/PN
