DILG hits Bayan Muna’s claim LGUs forced to back anti-terror bill

MANILA, Philippines —  Local government units (LGUs) are not being forced to support the anti-terror bill contrary to the claims of party-list group Bayan Muna, the Department of  Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Wednesday.

DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said local chief executives have expressed their support for the bill voluntarily.

“Bayan Muna’s claim that LGUs are being forced into supporting the Anti-Terrorism Bill is a complete falsehood and an affront and insult to the dignity, intelligence, and integrity of all local government officials nationwide who have freely expressed their support to the bill that was passed recently by Congress,” Malaya said in a statement.

“Nagbubulag-bulagan lamang ang Bayan Muna sa mga hinaing ng mga LGUs at ng ating mga kababayan lalo na sa mga lugar na patuloy na sinisira ng mga terrorista gaya ng Marawi, Samar, Bicol, Caraga at marami pang iba,” he added.

(Bayan Muna is just turning a blind eye on the complaints of LGUs and our countrymen especially in areas which terrorists continue to destroy such as Marawi, Samar, Bicol, Caraga, and others.)

Malaya was reacting to Bayan Muna’s remarks that some local executives were being forced to support the anti-terror bill, even showing documents to back its claims.

The group said LGU officials were allegedly being pushed to throw their support to the controversial measure or risk being tagged as a leftist and terrorist.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said a signed document from the Cebu Police Provincial Office shows officers were being prodded to support “the advocacy of our President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” and use social media to keep people away from leftist groups.

Malaya also slammed Bayan Muna for assuming that LGUs could not decide for themselves.

“Ano naman ang tingin ng Bayan Muna sa mga LGUs, na wala silang sariling paninindigan at pag-iisip?  Ramdam ng LGUs ang panawagan ng kanilang mga kababayan na matagal ng isinusuka ang mga terorista,” he said.

(What does the Bayan Muna think of LGUs? That they could not have their own decisions? LGUs heed the call of their constituents who wants to stop terrorists.)

Meanwhile, Interior chief Eduardo Año hailed the 784 Local Chief Executives (LCEs) for backing the anti-terror bill.

Of the 784 LCEs, Año said 43 are governors, 68 are mayors while 673 are municipal mayors.

Año mentioned that among those who supported the measure are Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora; Makati City Mayor Abby Binay; Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno; Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez; and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

KGA