Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 14) — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he would join the ranks of protesters in the streets if the anti-terrorism law was in any way abused.
“I will be as eagle eyed and vigilant and more because I will regard any abuse as a bigger challenge since I am going all-in on this,” Lacson said in a statement.
A statement posted on his official website said he would not allow anyone to “pervert the legislative intent” of the measure.
“Taya pati pamato na ako dito [I’m betting on this], not because I was the principal sponsor of the measure who painstakingly defended its constitutionality and strict compliance to the Bill of Rights with the help of most of my colleagues who interpellated and proposed their amendments to further enhance the safeguards which I accommodated, as long as we would not come up with another dead-letter law like its predecessor, the Human Security Act of 2007.”
“I vow to join those who are concerned, genuinely or otherwise, about the proposed law’s implementation to be as vigilant in monitoring each and every wrongful implementation by our security forces, even to the point of joining them in street protests,” he said.
Lacson added that Section 29 of the bill, which allows the detention of suspected terrorists without a warrant for up to 24 days, is “merely a restatement of the same provision in the Human Security Act.”
The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 seeks to impose stiffer penalties for “terrorists” and those found to be helping or engaging in related acts.
“The only difference is that the ATB (Anti-Terrorism Bill) which I sponsored in the senate has more added safeguards like the immediate notification in writing of the nearest judge where the warrantless arrest was made in compliance with Rule 113 Sec 5 of the Rules of Court, the CHR and the ATC itself which are not present under RA 9732.”
Netizens have voiced concerns over the hasty passage of the bill, with some questioning its “broad” and “vague” provisions that may lead to human rights violations. Some also said the proposed law may be used to target those who express dissent against the government.
Lacson said that while the measure, which seeks to repeal the Human Security Act of 2007, will impose tougher penalties, it also contains stringent safeguards for citizens.
In his statement, Lacson said he would be the first to call out those found abusing the law, and that enforcers who are caught abusing the measure’s protocols will be held accountable.
“I assure them that I will be the first to stand on the Senate floor and call out those responsible for abuse at the top of my voice in privilege speeches and Senate inquiries, if and when it comes to that, as I have done so before and during this current administration,” he said.
