Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 13) — The National Security Council (NSC) on Friday said it would push for the designation of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group which led the attack on Israel, as a terrorist organization under the Anti-Terror Law.
Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel last Oct. 7, resulting in thousands of deaths among both Israelis and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The NSC condemned Hamas and its “terrorist assault” against the state and people of Israel and said the proposed designation would be made in solidarity with the country.
“This was a deadly and barbaric terrorist assault on Israel targeting its civilian population and Israel has every right, as much as any nation, to defend and protect itself from this attack which has already claimed more than 1,200 lives, including that of two (2) Filipinos, and wounded some 3,000 others. Three (3) Filipinos are still unaccounted for,” the NSC said.
Israel retaliated against Hamas’ attacks by launching airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory under the militants’ control. A total of 1,547 people have been killed in the exclave, according to the state’s health ministry.
Meanwhile, over 1,200 have been killed in Israel, CNN’s live coverage of the war reported.
The NSC added that the terrorist designation would be a priority agenda of the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC).
Under Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terror Law of 2020, the ATC may designate an individual or group, whether domestic or foreign, as terrorists.
This is upon finding probable cause that those in question have committed or attempted to commit acts intended to cause death or serious bodily injury, extensive damage to public or private property, and the development, possession, and transportation of weapons, among others.
In the Philippines, the designation means the government can arrest suspected terrorists without a warrant and detain them for up to 24 days before they must be presented to a judge.
It also allows the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze the assets of individuals and organizations.
The Islamist militant movement of Hamas is based in Palestine. It has been designated as a terrorist group by Israel, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Canada, and Paraguay.
