MANILA, Philippines—Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday (June 1) branded criticisms against the new anti-terrorism legislation being hammered out by Congress as baseless.
“My only comment to those opposing this is there’s no basis for their opposition,” Lorenzana said at a press briefing. “I read the proposed law. Human rights is sufficiently covered by provisions,” he said, speaking in Filipino.
He said the proposed law has enough sanctions against law enforcers who would abuse their authority under the anti-terror measure.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, a former military chief, supported Lorenzana.
“We should be able to prepare,” Ano said. “This is very timely so that if we return to the new normal, our laws are ready for enforcement and we will not have a problem with terrorism,” he said in Filipino.
He gave an assurance that the proposed law carries enough safeguards against abuse of power.
President Rodrigo Duterte, also on Monday, certified the bill as urgent. It seeks amendments to the country’s existing anti-terror law and the certification from Duterte meant Congress should speed up its passage.
The #JunkTerrorBill became a trending topic on Twitter on Friday (May 29) as netizens raised concerns over possible violation of basic rights by the proposed legislation.