DND wants terror suspects detained for 60 days for case build-up

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of National Defense (DND) is proposing a longer detention period for suspected terrorists to allow law enforcers “more time to develop” cases against them.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday proposed that suspected terrorists be detained up to 60 days, instead of the present three days as provided by the Human Security Act of 2007.

He made the proposal during a hearing of the Senate committee on Defense on bills seeking to amend the Human Security Act (HSA).

“We have only two (proposed amendments): to increase the detention of probable terrorists or terrorists people from 30 to 60 days… That’s only our suggestion,” Lorenzana said.

During the Senate panel’s hearing last October, security officials initially proposed that the detention period be extended to 30 days.

READ: Security officials seek 30-day detention of terror suspects

But Lorenzana  explained that 60 days would allow “more time” for law enforcement agencies to “develop their case.”

“I think, simply, we would like to give the law enforcement agencies enough time to develop their case. I think sometimes, 30 days is not enough considering it is difficult also to develop cases,” he said.

“Anyway, 60 days, that’s only quick. Two months lang po ‘yun. Just to give them time, more time to develop the case,” Lorenzana added.

Lorenzana said the DND is also proposing that the chief minister of the newly-established Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindando (BARMM) be made a member of the country’s Anti-Terrorism Council. /muf