ANTI-TERROR BILL

DEFINITION
The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, officially designated as Republic Act No. 11479, is a Philippine law whose
intent is to prevent, prohibit, and penalize terrorism in the Philippines. The law was signed by President
Rodrigo Duterte on July 3, 2020, and effectively replaced the Human Security Act of 2007 on July 18,
2020.

Definition of terrorism
The Act defines terrorism as:
 Engaging in acts intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person or endangers a
person's life;
 Engaging in acts intended to cause extensive damage or destruction to a government or public
facility, public place, or private property;
 Engaging in acts intended to cause extensive interference with, damage, or destruction to critical
infrastructure;

 Developing, manufacturing, possessing, acquiring, transporting, supplying, or using weapons; and

 Releasing dangerous substances or causing fire, floods, or explosions when the purpose is to
intimidate the general public, create an atmosphere to spread a message of fear, provoke or
influence by intimidation the government or any international organization, seriously destabilize or
destroy the fundamental political, economic, or social structures in the country, or create a public
emergency or seriously undermine public safety.

Kinds/methods
1. Warrantless arrest
The law allows suspects to be detained without a judicial warrant of arrest for 14 days and can be
extended by 10 more days, and placed under surveillance for 60 days, which can also be extended by up
to 30 days, by the police or military.

2. Removal of safeguard against wrongful detention

The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 also removes a section under the Human Security Act of 2007
which is meant to safeguard against the wrongful accusation and detention of suspects. Previously, if a
person imprisoned under the HSA were found to not be guilty, that person would be compensated for
wrongful detention, with the cost "automatically charged against the appropriations of the police agency
or the Anti-Terrorism Council that brought or sanctioned the filing of the charges against the accused."

Short history
Upon the legislative history, the bill was introduced in the senate of the Philippines as Anti-Terrorism Act
of 2020. The bill citation is the Senate Bill No. 1083 and published on September 30, 2019. It was
introduced by Tito Sotto, Ping Lacson, Imee Marcos, et al.

When the bill was already introduced in the House of the Representatives of the Philippines, it was
revised to House Bill No. 6875 and published on May 30, 2020. It was introduced by Narciso Bravo Jr.
(Masbate 1st), Raul Tupas (Ilo Ilo 5th)et, al.
The bill had passed on February 26, 2020 and was enacted by the House of Representatives of the
Philippines. It was again passed on June 5 2020 signed by Rodrigo Duterte on July 3, 2020. The effectivity
of the act starts on July 18, 2020.

Arguments supporting the issue

Sultan Kudarat Governor Suharto Mangudadatu, North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco and Cotabato
city mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, those are people who gave their support in the said issue about
anti-terror bill. They said that if the bill passed, the law would ensure the protection of the people against
terrorism attacks.

“We recognize the need to have this in our midst to confront the threats posed by terrorism to ensure the
protection of the general public welfare against fear, danger, panic or chaos and the bill will be a potential
deterrent to the future terrorist as they will know that it is no longer possible to commit an attack and
escape without being charge.” Sultan Kudarat manifesto said.

Catamco meanwhile said, “Anti-terrorism measure protects lives and properties. It fosters the needed
environment in achieving over-all development for our people.”
Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu gave her full support and said that there will be
more benefit if the bill becomes a law. “Maguindanao and its people are one of the most affected areas in
the country due to terrorism and because of that, it is but right and logical that its officials and its
inhabitants will support the proposed anti-terrorism act”

However, Guiani-Sayadi said the bill would stop all the threats from terrorists. “ People have been
perennially living with the fear that their situation prevents them from making the most of their time and
from exercising their rights to the fullest.”

Arguments against the issue

International
A. United Nations
On June 30, 2020, at the 44th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva,
Switzerland. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has criticized the
proposed bill saying it could have a "chilling effect" on human rights work in the country and
called for restraint on signing the bill from President Duterte.

B. Amnesty International

Nicholas Bequelin, Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific Regional Director said "This law's
introduction is the latest example of the country's ever-worsening human rights record. Once
again, this shows why the UN should launch a formal investigation into ongoing widespread and
systematic violations in the country" upon hearing news of the law being signed.

Local
A. Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
On July 2, 2020, the Bangsamoro Parliament passed a resolution urging President Rodrigo
Duterte to veto the Anti-terrorism bill, arguing that it would lead to abuses and would unfairly
target Muslim Filipinos who have historically faced religious discrimination.
B. Philippine Independence Day protests
More than 1,000 students and human rights activists gathered inside the UP Diliman campus on
June 12, 2020, coinciding on 122nd Independence Day from Spanish colonial rule. They called for
the government to "junk" the proposed bill stating fears that it would curtail basic human rights
and freedom of speech and dissent.

C. Churches and religious organizations

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines, a fellowship of ten Philippine Protestant
denominations, denounced the bill as "a travesty against God's will as it gives the government, or
even just a few persons in the Anti-terrorism Council, the absolute power that determines what
course people's lives will take by putting forward a very vague definition of terrorism." The
Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches had likewise expressed reservations about the bill, saying
"We firmly believe this Act imperils the rights of Filipinos and sense of dignity which, having its
origin in God, our laws are called to uphold and protect."

Related laws about anti-terror bill

International
A. Canada- Anti-terrorism Act of 2015
The Anti-terrorism Act, 2015 (also known as Bill C-51) is an Act of the Parliament of Canada passed by
the Harper government that broadened the authority of Canadian government agencies to share
information about individuals easily. It also expanded the mandate of the Canadian Security Intelligence
Service (CSIS), and was described as the first comprehensive reform of this kind since 2001.
B. United States- Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005
Is an act to provide for the making of 'control orders' imposing obligations on individuals
suspected of being involved in terrorism-related activity. These are preventative orders which are
designed to restrict or prevent further involvement by individuals in such activity.

Trending news about the issue

Philippine protesters rally over controversial anti-terror bill. News said that there were braved 1,000
Filipinos who still protests for the Anti-Terror Bill despite of the threat of corona virus infection. Human
rights activists have raised and used their voices against the bill pushed by President Duterte, warning of
arbitrary provisions, arrest without warrants that can abuse Filipino’s rights. They are wearing facemasks
including face shield to protect themselves from virus and they are holding placards and chanted slogans
such as “JUNK TERROR BILL”.

The Filipino people have warned about the threats from the Anti-Terror Bill. There are many teen agers
and mid-20s, almost all of them signed the petition against anti-terror bill. They said that it can suppress
Filipino's rights and freedom because such buying a knife can make you a terrorist already even it is not.

SOme Statistical issues available

This graph shows the number of terrorist attacks per election term per major island group in Philippines
from the past years. As you can see in the graph, from 2004 up to 2010 the number of terrorist attacks in
Luzon and Mindanao island are increasing while in Visayas island it will increase up to 2007 and drop
down in 2010. The subsequent year, the number of terrorist attacks increased in Luzon and Visayas island
while Mindanao it increase in 2013 and drop down in the year 2016. In conclusion, the number of
terrorist in the Philippines reveals a large spike particularly in Mindanao group of island between the
year 2010 and 2016.

Latest Killings because of anti- terror bill

In a protest commemorating Global Day of Action for Justice, multiple groups comprising the youth,
human rights advocates, and land reform activists banded together to condemn the killings and justice for
Echanis and Alvarez and other slain human rights defenders, and to pursue the call to totally junk the
anti-terror law. The groups includes Anakbayan, Kilusang Mayo Uno, and College Editors Guild of the
Philippines (CEGP).
Echanis, 72, was a longtime activist and peasant leader who served as the Anakpawis chairperson and
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas deputy secretary general. He was unarmed when he was stabbed dead
inside his own home in Quezon City on August 10.

Moreover, Alvarez, 39, was a human rights activist who worked tirelessly for the Negros Island Health
Integrated Program (NIHIP) and Karapatan Negros Island. She was gunned down in Bacolod City on
August 17, a week since the murder of Echanis.
After recent killings, groups renew warning vs anti-terror law. on august 19 2020, several progressive
groups trooped to bantayog ng mga bayani in Quezon City. Their main purpose is to appeal and seek for
justice for slain activists named Randy Echanis and Zara Alvares who are killed 1 week apart.

Moral judgement
As the pandemic started, new act had passed on the house of representatives and was signed by the
president of the Philippines. It was the Anti-Terror Bill and lately become the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
After its effectivity, it cannot only suppress the basic rights and freedoms of Filipinos, it will also terrorize
the same conflict-affected communities it seeks to protect. There are lot of people who signed their
petition for the bill but it was denied. The threat from terrorists’ attacks is real, but it is not the main
threat to have a peaceful life. In fact, it will invade everybody’s rights and democracy almost gone in our
country.

THANK YOU