Bill not aimed at real terrorists, says Filipino senator
Published on: Saturday, June 06, 2020
By: New York Times
MANILA: President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines is expected to sign sweeping anti-terrorism legislation that critics said would allow the authorities to classify government opponents as terrorists and detain people for critical social media posts.The measure, which has passed both houses of Congress, neared finalisation as the United Nations released a scathing report that cites widespread human rights violations under Duterte, including the extrajudicial killing of more than 8,000 people.
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Despite years of international and domestic criticism over rights abuses, Duterte appears eager to double down on his strategy of suppressing dissent and to give the police an even freer hand to crack down.
Critics said the legislation was so broadly written that it would allow the arrest and detention of people without a warrant or a charge for criticising the government or acts such as causing property damage or carrying a weapon.
“It’s obvious that the bill is not after real terrorists,” said Senator Leila de Lima (pic), a critic of Duterte who has been imprisoned for more than three years.
“There is a new crime here, called inciting to terrorism. Just protest against not receiving aid amid the pandemic, and they can charge you with ‘inciting.’”
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The new legislation would create an anti-terrorism council to be appointed by the president that would have the authority to designate individuals and organisations as terrorists.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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It would also classify many acts that are already crimes as terrorism, including engaging in acts that cause death, injury or property damage; making, possessing or transporting weapons; or any acts deemed to undermine public safety. Some crimes could bring heavier punishment if prosecuted as acts of terrorism.
