Aussie anti-terror law much tougher, Lacson tells Catriona Gray

Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Catriona Gray. Senate PRIB and Instagram FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — Isn’t Australia’s law against terrorism much tougher?

Senator Panfilo Lacson said this on Tuesday as he turned the tables on Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray’s opposition to the passage into law of the anti-terrorism bill in the Philippines.

Lacson, the sponsor of the controversial measure in the Senate, said several provisions of the bill were patterned after the anti-terrorism laws of western countries like the United States and Australia, where there are “strong democracies.”

“Itong (proposed) anti-terrorism act, hinango sa batas ng US, Australia, European Union. Karamihan dito kinopya natin doon… ito yung mga strong democracy,” the lawmaker said over radio DZRH, adding that the bill was guided by the standards set by the United Nations.

(This proposed anti-terrorism act is based on the laws of the US, Australia, and countries belonging to the European Union. Several provisions of the anti-terror bill were based on their laws… these nations have strong democracies).

“Ang Australia, halimbawa, very strong democracy kaya medyo ano ako — with all due respect, kay Miss Universe Catriona Gray, ‘di ba Australian siya? — e kumokontra rin siya. Pero yung batas sa Australia mas matindi sa batas natin. Hinango natin ang ibang portion ng batas sa Australia,” he added.

(Australia, for example, is very strong democracy. That’s why I was — with all due respect to Miss Universe Catriona Gray, she’s Australian, right? — she’s also opposing this. But the law in Australia are much tougher than the proposed measure here in the Philippines. We patterned some of the portions of the anti-terror bill after Australia’s law.)

The Filipina-Australian beauty queen earlier aired her opposition for the bill, which is now up for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.

According to the bill, anyone who will propose, incite, conspire on, and facilitate terrorist acts will be penalized. A suspect could also be detained without a warrant of arrest for at least 14 days.

While the measure is seen to toughen up the country’s anti-terrorism policies, various groups raised concerns that this would spur human rights violations and suppress dissent.

Lacson said he even consulted with some staff members of the US Embassy during the crafting of the measure.

“Kasi we cannot do it alone because mayroon tinatawag yung international o universal standard (Because we cannot do this alone because there are international or universal standards to be followed),” he said during the radio interview.

EDV