ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 assured the public that law enforces would not abuse the controversial Republic Act (RA) No. 11479, or the Anti–Terrorism Act of 2020.
“As long as wala kayong linabag na batas, walang abuses,” Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, director of PRO-6, reiterated.
Although its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) have yet to be crafted, the new anti-terror law took effect on Saturday, July 18.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this month Duterte signed the controversial law amid opposition from various sectors over some of the provisions that allegedly violate human rights.
According to Pamuspusan, it would be “more prudent” for law enforcement agents to wait for the promulgation of the IRR.
“Gusto ko maayos lahat at ma-intindihan ng ating mga pulis para walang malabag na batas,” Pamuspusan said.
The Western Visayas top cop disclosed that they are planning to call all city and provincial police unit commanders and police chiefs for a conference to study the provisions of anti-terror law.
“We want to know the specifics of the law,” Pamuspusan said.
RA 11479 is being questioned even by those from the legal sector and the academe over some of the alleged provisions that violate the 1987 Constitution, especially on the Bill of Rights.
Provisions being questioned are the alleged free hand of the Anti-Terrorism Board to declare a person or group as terrorists, the maximum detention period wherein the new Law extended it to a maximum of 24 days, and arguments that the Law goes against the freedom of the press and expression since some publication and even social media posts could be classified as terrorism or in support of terrorism.
At least 10 petitions have already been filed before the Supreme Court questioning the Constitutionality of the Anti-Terror Law./PN
