Anti-terrorism law violators’ records exempt from info access – Malacañang memo

File photo:
Protestors gather at the Resist Terror Law rally in this file photo taken on July 7, 2020, which coincides with the 128th anniversary of the Katipunan at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Movement Against the Anti-Terrorism Act (MATA) expresses outrage over the government’s failure to preserve and defend the Constitution.
INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Information obtained from suspected violators of Anti-Terror Law will now fall under exceptions to the right to access information, according to a memorandum released by Malacañang on Thursday.

The new exception was contained in Memorandum Circular No. 15, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin last March 17, updating Executive Order No. 2  issued during the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The memorandum states that “the records of surveillance of suspects and interception and recording of communications acquired by law enforcement agents or military personnel” in relation to Anti Terrorism Law (ATL) of 2020 are now exempted to the right of access to information.

READ: SC asked to ‘take an even closer look’ at Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020

Duterte signed Executive Order No. 2 on July 23, 2016, to promote accountability, and set the guidelines for requesting and releasing information from offices under the executive branch.

READ: Duterte’s FOI order leads to ‘unintended consequences’

Also signed by Duterte in 2020, the ATL seeks to strengthen the Human Security Act of 2007 and criminalizes incitement of terrorism “by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, banners, or other representations.”

READ: DOJ releases IRR of anti-terror law

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