MANILA, Philippines — “Basahin niyo muna ‘yung batas. Basahin natin before we criticize.”
(Read the law first. Read it before you criticize.)
This was the appeal of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday during his sine die adjournment speech to those who are opposing House Bill No. 6875 or the “Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.”
He defended the chamber’s move to railroad the approval of the bill, despite the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in the country, saying that terrorism and insurgency still continue despite the pandemic.
Critics of the proposed measure, which was approved by the House on final reading on June 3, raised concerns including on human rights and freedom of speech issues as the bill vaguely defines what constitutes a “terrorist act.”
Cayetano said that before labeling the bill as “draconian” or “repressive” among others, critics should first read its provisions.
He assured that those who express dissent, participate in protest rallies will not be considered as terrorists according to the bill’s provisions.
“Bawal ‘yung mga nagdi-dissent lang o ‘yung mga nag-oobject lang o nagra-rally o nagpapahayag lang sa gobyerno, bawal na sila ay turingan na terorista,” the House leader said.
(Those who express their dissent against the government or participate in protest rallies cannot be labeled as terrorists under the proposed measure.)
But once rallies threaten to destroy public property, or harm the lives of others, Cayetano said police would not need the Anti-Terror Act to apprehend violators.
The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the controversial Anti-Terror bill last Wednesday, June 3, with an overwhelming 173 affirmative votes.
The bill, which seeks to amend the Human Security Act of 2007 for deliberation, had 31 negative votes and 29 abstentions.
The proposed measure penalizes those who will propose, incite, conspire, participate in the planning, training, preparation, and facilitation of a terrorist act; as well as those who will provide material support to terrorists, and recruit members in a terrorist organization.
Any person who shall threaten to commit terrorism and those who will propose any terroristic acts or incite others to commit terrorism will suffer the penalty of 12 years imprisonment.
Any person who shall voluntarily and knowingly join any organization, association, or group of persons knowing that such is a terrorist organization, will also be imprisoned for 12 years. The same penalty shall be imposed on any person found liable as an accessory in the commission of terrorism.
Meanwhile, those who will be proven guilty of engaging in a conspiracy to commit terrorism shall be penalized by life imprisonment without the benefit of parole.
The lower chamber adopted the Senate version of the bill, Senate Bill No. 1083, which allows Congress to skip the bicameral conference committee, and transmit the enrolled bill straight to the Malacañang for the President’s signature.