Anti-Terrorism Act, For Whom

Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz, first nominee of the Sambayanan Partylist, revealed that groups under the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and their allies will be directly affected by the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

Ka Eric made the revelation after various groups under BAYAN filed a complaint against Anti-Terrorism Act in the Supreme Court.

According to Ka Eric, it is not the ordinary citizens who should be worried about the Anti-Terrorism Act. Filipinos should not believe the CPP-NPA-NDF operatives who are hiding in their front organizations that freedom of the press and other rights will be lost.

Ka Eric clarified that the Anti-Terrorism Act does not target activists, not the freedom of the press. Those who support armed and violent killings, extortion, arson, and the spread of terrorism will be targeted.

BACKGROUND

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed the “Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020” into law on July 3, 2020, replacing the Human Security Act of 2007.

Terrorism is defined in the Act as follows:

1. Engaging in acts that are intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to another person, or that endanger a person’s life;
2. Committing acts with the intent of causing extensive damage or destruction to a government or public facility, public place, or private property;
3. Committing acts with the intent of interfering with, damaging, or destroying critical infrastructure;
4. Creating, manufacturing, possessing, acquiring, transporting, supplying, or employing weapons; and
5. Releasing dangerous substances or causing fires, floods, or explosions with the intent of intimidating the general public, creating an atmosphere to spread a message of fear, provocation or influencing the government or any international organization by intimidation, seriously destabilizing or destroying the country’s fundamental political, economic, or social structures, or creating a public emergency or seriously undermining public safety

Persons who propose, incite, conspire, and participate in the planning, training, and facilitation of an offense under the act, as well as those who provide support to ‘terrorists’ as defined by the act, or recruit members of a ‘terrorist organization,’ face life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The following offenses are also punishable by 12 years in prison under the law:

• Threatening to engage in ‘terrorism’
• Inciting others to commit “terrorism” or proposing to commit “terrorism”
• Joining any ‘terrorist group’ voluntarily and knowingly
• Being an accomplice in the commission of ‘terrorism’

Suspects can be detained without a judicial warrant of arrest for 14 days, which can be extended by 10 days, and placed under police or military surveillance for 60 days, which can also be extended by up to 30 days. ###