Año says proposed anti-terror bill not ”anti-human rights”

June 4, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday defended the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill, saying it is not “anti-human rights”.

Año said the bill seeks to protect the rights of innocent people from terrorists, contrary to the claims of critics.

“The Anti-Terrorism Bill was conceived not to trample and violate human rights. The insinuation that Congress will enact a law to directly disregard the Filipinos’ human rights is preposterous,” he said.

"The Anti-Terrorism Bill aims to eradicate terrorism from our country. The people have nothing to fear from this bill; it is only the terrorists and their supporters who should fear it," he said.

Año said the bill is a bold and timely upgrade in our arsenal against all forms of terrorism, whether the Communist-terrorists or the violent extremists that have been plaguing the country for so many years.

 The Marawi siege by the Maute group and other ISIS-inspired groups as well as the attacks by Communist terrorists on civilians pose a continuing clear and present danger to the lives of our countrymen," he added.

Año thanked the Congress for its passage and enactment into law.

He assured the public that the bill will only work to quell terrorism.

“Terrorism is a threat not only in the Philippines but in the entire world and this is for the safety of everyone. This was carefully studied and we assure that there will be no human rights abuse,” he said.

The Anti-Terrorism Bill, which was initially approved by the Senate last February 2020, is one step away from being approved by the House of Representatives.

President Rodrigo Duterte has recently certified the bill as ‘urgent’. The bill seeks to amend and improve the provisions of the Human Security Act of 2007.

Año said the  current law “is outdated, has been ineffective, and out of touch with the realities on the ground”.

He said the current law had made it difficult for them to conduct anti-terror operations but safeguards against torture and other illegal acts are still  in the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill.

Año refuted the claim that the bill will lead to abuse on the part of law enforcers.

On the contrary, Año explained that the bill strengthens the power of law enforcers to protect the people from the threat of terrorism while safeguarding the rights of those accused of a crime.

He said that the bill provides for a 10-year imprisonment to any law enforcement agent who will violate the rights of persons under custody.

“Anyone who will violate the human rights will be punished,” Año said.

The DILG chief explained that only those who will propose, incite, conspire, and participate in the planning, training, preparation and facilitation of a terrorist act, provide material support, and recruit anyone to be a member or a terrorist organization, among others, are the ones who are penalized under the bill.

Año also refuted  claims that the bill will restrict rights of people to express their views against the government.

He said the bill itself provides that “terrorism shall not include advocacy, protest, dissent, stoppage of work, industrial or mass action, and other similar exercises of civil and political rights.” Ella Dionisio/DMS