Philippine blackmailed by rights groups over new anti-terrorism act

Nahla Abdelmonem

A new terrorism act is stirring up debates in the Philippines. The act is a serious bid by the Asian country’s security agencies to keep the lid on growing violence.

Nevertheless, the act is raising controversy, especially in the presence of objections to it.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte approved the new act on June 8, after it was approved by the parliament. The Philippine senate approved the act in February.

The new act gives Philippine authorities more powers. Nevertheless, some people express opposition to it.

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The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 amends the Human Security Act of 2007, according to the Kikkei Asian Review site.

It said the act expands the definition of terrorism to include acts intended to cause “death or serious bodily injury to any person,” “extensive damage and destruction” to a government facilities, private property or critical infrastructure and when the purpose of those acts is to “intimidate [the] general public,” “create an atmosphere or message of fear,” or “seriously destabilize or destroy the fundamental political, economic and social structures of the country.”

Those found guilty face life sentences without the chance of parole.

The act also criminalizes the “threat, planning, training, facilitating of” and “proposal” and “inciting” to terrorist activities by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, banners and emblems, the site said.

It also subjects suspects to surveillance, warrantless arrest and detention for up to 24 days, it added.

It noted that the act removes compensation for the suspect in the event of acquittal and boosts the Anti-Terrorism Council, the implementer of the law, whose members are appointed by the president.