Anti Terrorism Act of 2020 (Robles, June _)

- ravages and shuts down constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech and freedom of expression

- drafted by House of Representatives ( a chamber populated with staunch allies of Duterte admin )

- targets critics, dissenters, political opponents and social advocates engaged in the exercise of
legitimate rights and freedom

- threat to the cornerstone of healthy democracy: voicing criticism and expressing dissent

- law enforcement agents can detain a person out of mere suspicion of committing any of the acts they
are fined and penalized under the proposed law if they are authorized by the anti-terrorism Council

- contrary to the requirement of proving probable cause to a judge for the issuance of an arrest warrant

- “ terrorism “ wasn’t defined in a clear cut categorical precise way= susceptible to abuse

Events so far that trampled channels of criticism:

- Delima’s incarceration

- silencing of Rappler

- doling 1000 peso budgetto CHR

- diff cases of “inciting sedition” ( diokno, robredo’s lawyer, teacher ronell )

- abs cbn shutdown

- nbi issuance of subpoenas to netizens who criticized governmetns action towards the pandemic

-bind and gag filipinos into silent submission to systematically enforce this culture ofsilence and virulent
suppression of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and rights

- issuance of warrant of arrests will come from the executve branche thru anti terrorism act council
( cabinet secretaries and security officials ) now replces the power of the judicial branch via authority of
courts to issue warrant of arrests

- stifles civil liberties

OVERVIEW

HB NO 6875

- amends the human security act and seeks to suffer penalties including life imprisonment on anyone who
will participate in, conspire with or incite others in the planning and facilitation of a terroris attack

- draconian measures

UN OFFICE OF CHR ( June 4 ) :The proposed 2020 anti terrorism act, slated to replace the already
problemtatic Human Security Act, dilutes human rights safeguards, broadens the definition of terrorism
and expands the period of detention without warrant from 3- 14 dys , extendable byanother 10 days. The
vague definitions in the anti-terrorism act may violate the principle of legality
- bill defines terrorism as the commission of certain acts in order to intimidate the public into fear, the
stabilized society to create an emergency or to undermine public safety

- one of the purposes of terrorism is to provoke/ influencw the government by intimidation