Suicide bombers to face cases for violation of anti-terror law — AFP chief

MANILA, Philippines — Arrested suicide bombers will face cases for violation of the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 despite several petitioners calling to halt the law’s implementation, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Gilbert Gapay said Tuesday.

“There are cases already being undertaken by not only the AFP of course vis a vis all other agencies of anti-terrorism council so bombings in Jolo and suicide bombers, which we captured recently are among the first cases which will be subjected to the new anti-terror law,” said Gapay during the AFP yearend press conference, when asked about the implementation of the anti-terror law.

“These cases will now be put to test in this new anti-terror law,” he added.

READ: Arrest of Indonesian suicide bomber prevented Zambo attack – AFP

In October, the Department of Justice published the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) three months after the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 took effect.

More than 20 petitioners asked the Supreme Court to issue a restraining order against the implementation of the anti-terror law, which critics fear would be abused. [ac]

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