ILOILO City – Local chief executives in Antique province have expressed support for House Bill 6875, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
Gov. Rhodora Cadiao and all the 18 mayors of Antique passed a resolution though their Provincial Peace and Order Council to express their full support for bill that is now in the hands of President Rodrigo Duterte for a review, said Major Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID).
The resolution stated: “Ang local na pamahalaan ng Antique ay lubos na sumusuporta sa panukalang batas na Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 para matugunan at masugpo ang matagal ng paghihimagsik at paghahasik ng karahasan ng terrorismo. Ito ay nagdudulot ng malaking problema na kung saan ang karapatang indibiwal ay naisasangwalang bahala at naisasakripisyo sa kadahilanan ang mananaig ay ang ipinaglalaban at pansriling kapakanan ng mga terorista.”
Kung ninanais natin ang isang bansang maunlad, ito na ang panahon upang magkaroon ng mabisang panangga sa kriminalidad, terrorismo, droga, at korapsyon,” it added.
In Iloilo province, only the municipality of Janiuay has expressed support for the bill.
The bill carries provisions imposing life imprisonment without parole on those who will participate in the planning, training, preparation, and facilitation of a terrorist act; possess objects connected with the preparation for the commission of terrorism; or collect or make documents connected with the preparation of terrorism.
It also calls for 12 years imprisonment to persons who shall threaten to commit terrorism and those who will propose any terroristic acts or incite others to commit terrorism.
Pancito said the support of the local government units (LGUs) for the bill shows they want to end terrorists’ activities in their respective areas.
“We are happy that the LGUs expressed their support. We in the army and other law enforcement service firmly believe that this bill can help us in the performance of our duties maintaining the whole 3ID area of responsibility. Anything that will be accorded to help us do our job will be much appreciated,” said Pancito.
“The people have nothing to fear from this bill. It is only the terrorists and their supporters who should fear it,” he added./PN
