Anti-Terrorism Act to give PNP ”a stronger fighting chance” to protect country

July 20, 2020

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 will give them ''a stronger fighting chance'' of protecting the country against the threat of terrorism.

During his press briefing, Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said they welcomed the effectivity of the law last July 18.

“Over the weekend the PNP welcomed the effectivity of Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, giving your police force a stronger fighting chance of protecting itself and our people against the threats of terrorism,” Gamboa said.

Gamboa said they agree with the observations of United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic opens new opportunities for terrorist groups.

“We agree with the observations of no less than the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, that the COVID-19 pandemic opens new opportunities for terrorist groups to exploit divisions, local conflicts, weaknesses in governance, and other grievances to advance their objectives thru emerging forms of terrorism, such as misuse of digital technology, cyber attacks and bio-terrorism,” Gamboa said.

“With a fully operational anti-terrorism law, we can now better address threats posed by domestic terrorist organizations, including the economic support systems that allow it to thrive, expand and propagate its cause,” he added.

Gamboa said they still need to study the law despite  provisions that are executory and does not require an implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

“Many are saying there are provisions of the Anti-Terror law that are already executory and does not require the IRR but nevertheless we still have to study this so that this will be part of training,” he said.

“So (we are) on the stage of preparing for, waiting for the IRR and then creating units for the specific task of implementing the Anti-Terror law,” he added.  Ella Dionisio/DMS