Anti-terror law abusive, needs cleansing, says Albay lawmaker

LEGAZPI CITY – Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman  has labeled the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 or the anti-terror law as “abusive” and urged the Supreme Court to remove the numerous oppressive and unconstitutional provisions on it.

“Despite talk of fairness, no amount of assurance from law enforcement agencies  that there would be no abuses because the law itself is abusive and derogatory of human rights, civil liberties and fundamental freedoms,” Lagman said in a statement Sunday.

The Albay solon said the repressive provisions in the law embolden law enforcers “to perpetrate errant and arbitrary implementation against ordinary citizens, progressive activists and political dissenters who have long been considered as ‘enemy of the state’.”

“The new anti-terrorism law must be cleansed of its constitutional infirmities notwithstanding the say-so of its implementors,” he added.

gsg
Read more...