Gamboa: Anti-Terror Bill ‘just and valid’ exercise of right to protect state

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa on Thursday said the controversial Anti-Terror Bill is a “just and valid” exercise of the right to protect the state and its people.

Gamboa’s justification of the need to institutionalize an anti-terrorism policy comes as the bill is one step closer to being a law since it is now up for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.

“In situations when the very existence of the democratic institutions is threatened, the government can always invoke the right of the state to protect itself and this Anti-Terrorism legislation is a just and valid exercise of that right of the state to protect itself and its people,” Gamboa explained in a statement.

Gamboa said the anti-terror bill, which penalizes those who will incite or commit terrorism, will update and strengthen the country’s prevailing anti-terrorism policies.

The bill was sent to the President after the House of Representatives passed it on final reading on Wednesday.  The Senate approved the measure on final reading in February. The House approved the measure rejecting all suggested amendments and simply adopted the Senate version, thus, skipping a process in the crafting of legislation – the bicameral conference.

Duterte earlier certified as urgent the passage of the Anti-Terror Bill even as the country confronts a global health crisis.

Meanwhile, human rights advocates and civil society groups, as well as opposition leaders, slammed the proposed law, which punishes those who will propose, incite, conspire, participate in the planning, training, preparation, and facilitation of a terrorist act; provide material support to terrorists; and recruit members in a terrorist organization.

They said the Anti-Terror Bill may be abused to oppress critics who could be branded as terrorists.

KGA