Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 3) — Critics of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 aired their concerns online, telling Filipinos to educate themselves and to know their rights amid fears that the law might be abused in the future.
Non-supporters have been sharing online materials to inform Filipinos of what the law is about, what are considered to be terrorists, and what are the penalties stated in the law.
if you're still not mad, then you might be lacking awareness. please spare a minute to read and educate yourself. laban, Pilipinas! #VetoTerrorBilllNow#OUSTDUTERTENOW pic.twitter.com/SeJAWbgq0b
— ً (@astrallure) July 3, 2020
Netizens are also sharing applications that are considered to be safe when conversing online.
filo oomfs, you can download the apps on the right side for your safety and protection #VetoTerrorBilllNow pic.twitter.com/hQJ4QfbZtq
— 𝐌𝐚𝐞⁷ (@jichiminie) July 3, 2020
Petitions and email protests are also surfacing online even before the bill was signed into law.
filo moots!!!! even if it was signed we still have 15 more days so pls let us join the email protests! but we need a random email address
DONT USE YOUR PERSONAL EMAIL #VetoTerrorBilllNow pic.twitter.com/PnW58NbetX
— ً cechí (@F0RYUN0) July 3, 2020
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed on Friday that the bill has been signed a day after he said that the Palace’s legal team was done reviewing it.
The measure repeals Human Security Act of 2007, which gives more surveillance powers to government forces. This allows suspected terrorists to be arrested without a warrant and be detained without charges up to 24 days.
READ: Duterte signs into law the controversial anti-terrorism bill
Critics have pointed out that there are provisions that may lead to false arrests. A senator even noted that the law is problematic and should not be passed across administrations.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines even said that the creation of the Anti-Terrorism Council under the law is unconstitutional since this defeats the role of the Judiciary to do “checks and balances” under the constitution.
However, supporters have noted that the law is needed by the country since the Human Security Act has loopholes that cannot assure safety of Filipinos.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon also said that the measure is clear about its definition of terrorism, and assured that there are safety nets in the law, so there is nothing to worry about.
