Anti Terror Bill

The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 is one of the latest efforts to address the issue of terrorism and
all alike activities, while simultaneously guarantee the protection of both civil and political rights
of Filipinos. In the proceeding, the implementation of rules and regulations, the Anti-Terrorism
Council or ATC reexamined the Constitution, existing laws, Jurisprudence, other implementing
rules and regulations, and the Rules of Court. This is to ensure that executive prerogatives are
tempered by the Constitution, prevailing law, and jurisprudence and, if necessary, by available
judicial remedies. The IRR looks up to explain how to put the Anti-Terrorism Act into effect and
what citizen’s do’s and dont’s in compliance with the law. The IRR thus contains very detailed
provisions on what is terrorism and terrorism-related crimes, inspection, and monitoring, on
labeling terrorists, what organizations are to be considered as one, on proscription, on the
examination of personal data such as bank account and other necessities.

Laws are providing the security and welfare of the country and its citizen against Terrorism as
such. However, compared to our neighboring countries (3) Three days is not enough to
interrogate and gather data against a suspected Terrorist. Therefore Terrorists tend to visit our
country as they are the least strict against the fight against Terrorism, having them much more
leisure time and carefree plans against the country and its citizen.

‘Activism is not terrorism’, Petitions have piled up at the Philippines' Supreme Court to overturn
a new anti-terrorism law championed by President Rodrigo Duterte which could jail suspects
without charge for weeks. The claims against the enactment of the Anti-Terrorism Laws is that it
violates the following:

The definition of terrorism has been overextended to punish an individual for 12 years for
inciting others through “speeches, writings, proclamations, emblems, banners, and other
representations tending to the same end”. Not only is the law broad enough to permit the
detention of people for social media posts critical of the government, but this also builds on
existing cases of arrests for social media posts made during the pandemic, blatant attacks on
the right to freedom of expression, as well as red-tagging of civilians and activists. Also, people
can be apprehended without a warrant and detained for weeks before appearing before a judge.
The right to freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental human right under Article 19 of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948.

Besides, it has a high probability of setting foot in University matters such as the Anak Bayan, a
left-wing organization that consists mostly of students of the University of the Philippines. The
Government will have the reason to apprehend and coerce such students and hinder their
growth, freedom, and their rights. ATC also was given the right to order warrantless arrests of
persons based on mere suspicion even if no charges have been filed. According to the Human rights
advocates and Petitioners, this violates a person’s Constitutional rights to due process and to be
secure from unreasonable searches and seizures.

On August 24, 2020, the Jolo bombing occurred, when insurgents alleged to be jihadists from
the Abu Sayyaf group detonated two bombs in Jolo, Sulu, Philippines, killing 14 people and
wounding 75 others. The first occurred as Philippine Army personnel were assisting in carrying
out COVID-19 humanitarian efforts. The female suicide bomber was known beforehand, "A
female suicide bomber detonated herself as a soldier stopped her from entering the cordoned
area," Lt-Col Ronaldo Mateo, an army spokesman, told local media. Congressman Jericho
Rosales, the principal author of the Anti-Terror bill who was a caretaker congressman at the first
district of Sulu asked the military as they have claimed to know the identity and presence of
Rezky Fantasya Rullie also known as "Cici," the Indonesian Bomber. He questioned about not
utilizing the Security Act of 2007, they responded that the law is not enough for them to be
utilized and stop the act or plan of the Terrorist in the country as Terrorism was not well defined,
arresting with the mere suspicion because she was labeled a terrorist in Indonesia isn’t a lawful
ground in the Philippines and so the disaster happened.

A. What are the Acts defined as “Terrorism” in this Bill?

-meaning, if there was a hot pursuit for a snatcher or holdup scenario those who will be
apprehended will not be branded as Terrorists as it does not violate the provisions of this act.

● Engaging in acts intended to cause extensive damage or destruction to a government or

-the reason for this one is that mostly, the CCPNPA-NDF tends to collect taxes from our dear
Filipino citizens and threaten those who do not comply with their own rules. In some
situations, they even burn, destroy, and take one's life and properties to show their power to
those who do not comply.

● Engaging in acts intended to cause extensive interference with, damage, or destruction to

- assets that are essential for the functioning of a society and economy, they consist of
but are not limited to: Telecommunication towers, Railways, Clean Water Facilities, and
Commerce.

● Developing, manufacturing, possessing, acquiring, transporting, supplying, or using

-If you express your concern for the government thru Rally, Protest, and Social media, you
will not be branded as a Terrorist as it is your constitutional right for freedom of expression.
However, if you provide aid, supplies, food, or information following the Terrorist act or
group. You will be held liable and be branded as part of them.

● Releasing dangerous substances or causing fire, floods, or explosions when the purpose is
to intimidate the general public, create an atmosphere to spread a message of fear, provoke
or influence by intimidation the government or any international organization, seriously
destabilize or destroy the fundamental political, economic, or social structures in the country,
or create a public emergency or seriously undermine public safety
 -This was the most concerned part of the petitioners, as a mere post of expression per se
can be constituted to an act of terrorism but the answer is no, it is not. There should be a
probable cause, the capabilities of the person, and the circumstances thereof for it to be
considered as an act of Terrorism. A mere shout of “Walang kwenta ang Gobyerno” will not
be considered, but in cases such as “Pasasabugin ko itong dala kong Bomba” in the heart of
a crowd or Police Officers will be deemed as such as it causes fear not only to the APIA or
PIA but also to the citizens.

B. The law also punishes the following offenses with 12 years’ imprisonment:
● Threatening to commit ‘terrorism’

- In this matter, a mere statement of “Hindi masama ang NPA” or “Guguluhin namin ang
Bansa” is not a Threat to commit ‘terrorism’ unless the person or group who made the
statement has the capabilities and say so in such dreadful circumstances.

● Inciting others or proposing to commit ‘terrorism’

-Persuading or leading such meetings to commit ‘terrorism’, their actions and their
capabilities will also be considered. We have laws against Inciting Coup, Rebellion, and
such (Human Security Act of 2007) but there is none for Terrorism in which could bring great
disaster like what happened in MARAWI.

● Voluntarily and knowingly joining any ‘terrorist group’

-Pledging Allegiance to foreign Terrorist or Local Terrorist such as what happened in

● Acting as an accessory in the commission of ‘terrorism’

-Being part of the act of ‘terrorism’ is also considered terrorism, this includes providing food
and shelter to terrorists, giving them the information needed for the commission of a crime,
and giving aid or to withhold or withdraw them from the sight of apprehending officers.

Under the Anti Terror Law, we have what we call safeguards in regulating and implementing the
act. One of which is that the apprehended or arrested individual has his 5th Amendment or
Miranda Rights, which safeguards his self-being. Interrogation is allowed but the use of
violence, coercion, or torture will not be tolerated as per its provisions, and any of this be
violated the apprehending officers, anyone who was part of it will be sentenced to 10 years of
imprisonment. If the petitioners' concern is what if the apprehending officers create or forge
such evidence?’ then they will be facing 6 years of imprisonment under the provisions of this
act. Humanitarian Activities Exemptions are also included in this Act under Sect 13, repealing
Sect 12.

This is a Rule of Law and not a Rule by Law, we are not taking away or planning to impede the
constitutional right of every Filipino but restricting the potential Terrorist or State-sponsored
terrorism from creating chaos and risk the lives of the law-abiding Filipinos, We need a new law
to change and improve the Human Security acts states the there is Terrorism when insurrection,
mutiny, rebellion, mutiny in the high waters, kidnapping or serious illegal detention, etc.. there is
no murder included, as it is already absorbed. So in case if there’s a murderer from foreign
countries then they will not be held liable for murder but only acts under Human Security Law of
2007. So even though our Intelligence divisions say they are Terrorist Internationally but not
following our law before. Terrorism can cross into Philippine waters anytime, so a mere 3 days
of detention is such a vague way for preventing Terrorism, and so Anti-Terrorism law is
essential for our security, safety, and peace.