Probe alleged police memo ‘coercing’ local execs to back Anti-Terror Bill – Bayan Muna

MANILA, Philippines — Bayan Muna has filed a resolution urging the House of Representatives to investigate the issuance of a police memorandum seemingly “coercing” local government officials in Nueva Ecija to support the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. 

House Resolution No. 983 filed by Bayan Muna Reps. Ferdinand Gaite, Carlos Isagani Zarate, and Eufemia Cullamat asks the House committee on public order and safety as well as the committee on human rights to probe the said memorandum, which copy was shared to reporters by the lawmakers. 

Photo from Bayan Muna

Based on the supposed police memorandum, a certain Police Major Ariel Enriquez of the Nueva Ecija Police called on chiefs of police and officers-in-charge in the province to “coordinate with your local chief executive and encourage them to give a short message in a video presentation with a companion and ask them to sign a manifest expressing their support to the said act.”

The alleged memorandum likewise states that “the same will be carried out in barangay level.”

“Under the law, governors and mayors are automatically deputized as representatives of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) in their respective jurisdiction and not the other way around,” the lawmakers said in the bill. 

The lawmakers also said that the “efforts of the police to force to fabricate public opinion backing the Anti-Terror Law through memoranda coercing local government officials to express support is by all means against the law.”

They added that the alleged memorandum only surfaced on social media, thus warranting an investigation on whether other regional or local police have issued similar documents. 

The controversial bill now only needs the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte for it to become a law. 

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said that Duterte “is inclined” to sign the proposed measure that will strengthen the prevailing Human Security Act of 2007. 

“He [Duterte] spoke and rhetorically, he said he was waiting for Senator [Panfilo] Lacson to finish his commas and his periods, but that was rhetorical because of course the road bill is now on his desk. Let’s just say that he is taking a final look at it and I think he is inclined to sign it,” Roque said. 

Duterte could either sign the bill into law or veto it. He could also let the measure lapse into law after 30 days of receipt without signing it.

KGA

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