Rebelito S.

Remulta

BSBA - FM year 1

June 1, 2022

Anti-terrorism issue; into the depth

President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the “Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020”, which replaces

the Human Security Act of 2007, this happened on July 3, 2020. According to the Amnesty

International, this law contains dangerous provisions and risks further undermining human

rights in the country.

Persons who propose, incite, conspire, or participate in the planning, training, or facilitation

of an offence under the act, as well as those who provide support to 'terrorists' as defined by

the act, or recruit members of a 'terrorist organization,' may face life in prison without the

possibility of parole.
The Act further defines terorrism as:

• Engaging in activities that are designed to cause death or serious physical injury to another

person, or that risk the life of another person;

• Performing acts with the intent of causing significant damage or destruction to a government

or public facility, a public place, or private property;

• Acting in a way that may cause significant disruption, damage, or destruction to essential

infrastructure;

• Weapons development, manufacturing, possession, acquisition, transportation, supply, or

use; and

• Releasing dangerous substances or causing fires, floods, or explosions with the intent to

intimidate the general public, create an atmosphere of fear, provoke or influence the

government or any international organization through intimidation, seriously destabilize or

destroy the country's fundamental political, economic, or social structures, or create a public

emergency or seriously undermine the country's fundamental political, economic, or social

structures (Amnesty. org, 2020)

The following offenses are likewise punishable by 12 years in jail under the law:

• Threatening to engage in "terrorist"

• Inciting people to commit 'terrorism' or threatening to do so

• Joining a 'terrorist organisation' on purpose and with knowledge

• Associating with terrorists

Suspects can be detained for 14 days without a judicial warrant of arrest, which can be

extended by another 10 days, and placed under surveillance by the police or military for 60

days, which can also be extended by another 30 days.

Under this Presidency, seems like any acts of criticism can be seen as potential terrorists. This

will grant government power excessive and unquestionable, legislation aimed at ‘countering

terrorism’ must ensure respect for international human rights and humanitarian law and

protect basic liberties.

I'm not sure if this includes the protests and warcry movements of people that are in the

silver linings of a society, who clearly needs to voice out their disagreement and concerns to the

public, I bet it will surely doubts their position to make their usual movements, otherwise the

risk that they will carry will be very threating to their lives. It's their only way of letting the

public and government know their issues and they want a need of assistance from government

projects but now this will be taken out from them. The passage of this bill is the latest

indication of the country's rapidly deteriorating human rights record. This demonstrates why

the UN should begin a formal investigation into the country's ongoing pervasive and systematic

abuses.

I'm pretty sure there are further ways to counter terrorisms in the country but this is not

the suitable choice for it, it carries too many risks and the fact that we can't deny that it's

border line human rights violation makes it more unethical.