DILG, security forces hail passage of Anti-Terrorism Act

July 5, 2020

Interior Sectary Eduardo Año said the signing of the Anti-Terror Bill into law is an important step in the whole-of-nation approach against terrorism.

In a statement released on Saturday, Año said all attached agencies of the Department of Interior and Local Government thanked President Rodrigo Duterte and the 18th Congress for the enactment of Republic Act No. 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

“We thank the President under whose strong leadership this historic legislation was signed, the Senators and the members of the House of Representatives who crossed party lines and placed the interest of the nation first, and our local government officials who from day one have expressed their support for the passage of this law for the safety and security of their constituents against all terrorist groups,” he said.

Año said the passage of the new law is an important step as it will give the government the upper hand against communist terrorists and violent extremists who have sought legal cover under the obsolete provisions of the Human Security Act and had never been prosecuted nor jailed for their atrocious terror attacks against the nation and the Filipino people.

“With this law, the government and our law enforcers, in particular, are better equipped to protect our people and ensure their safety against the clear and present danger of terrorists,” he said.

“We assure the Filipino people that this law will never be a tool for oppression nor will it curtail the freedom of speech as it has safeguards against human rights violations and abuses on the part of law enforcers,” he added.

The secretary said they will not allow the law to be abused and it will be used judiciously only for the purpose for which it was enacted — defeat the communist terrorists and violent extremists once and for all.

“We repeat that only the terrorists should fear this law and all law-abiding and peaceful citizens have nothing to fear,” he said.

Año said the law is the country’s assurance that justice will finally be served for the countless victims of terrorism.

“We all deserve to live in peace, safety and security with no worries or fear from the threats and criminal acts of terrorists and extremists. This law is not only for us but also for future generations who we hope will no longer live under the specter of terrorism,” he said.

DILG’s attached agencies are the National Police Commission, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Public Safety College, Local Government Academy, Philippine Commission on Women, National Youth Commission, and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines also expressed gratitude on the signing of the law.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is grateful to the Commander-in-Chief for his resolve in putting public security and general welfare his primordial consideration in enacting the law that specifically targets terrorists,” General Felimon Santos Jr said in a statement.

“We see it as an antidote to protect our people from terrorist acts that bring about death, injury, and massive destruction. It is a landmark legislation that empowers government--particularly security forces--to defeat terrorists that see the Philippines as safe haven due to its lenient anti-terrorism laws,” he added.

Meanwhile, Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said they welcome the approval of the law and assured it will not be abused.

“PNP assures that it will not be abused and we shall faithfully uphold all institutional mechanisms that provide safeguards to its implementation,” Banac said.

Duterte approved the Anti-Terrorism Act on July 3 despite the opposition of various groups. Ella Dionisio/DMS