Lorenzana says regulating social media is not part of anti-terror law

August 5, 2020

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Wednesday regulating social media is not part of the mandate of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

"No, the anti terror law should not regulate social media," he said.

"It is not part of its mandate and it would violate freedom of speech and discourse," he added.

Lorenzana said he talked to AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay after he made his statement about regulating social media.

"I asked General Gapay yesterday what he meant because I was likewise surprised to hear him say it during our presscon after he was installed as CSAFP ( Chief of Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines)," he said.

"He (Gapay) said his explanation  was incomplete. According to him he meant the darknet, that clandestine network that peddles drugs, traffic people, sells guns and explosives, hire assassins and other illegal activities," Lorenzana stated.

"But even this is difficult to regulate because it is underground and operates illegally. Also being used to recruit and plan terroristic acts," he added. Robina Asido/DMS