Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 5) — Amnesty International has called on the Philippine government to amend the hotly contested anti-terrorism bill before President Rodrigo Duterte signs it into law.
The international rights group on Thursday said Duterte should not sign the “vague” bill without thorough review and amendments as it has a “worryingly over broad definition of terrorism.”
It said that if the law is approved in its current form, it can be enforced arbitrarily against government critics, human rights defenders, political activist, and religious or ethnic communities.
“Currently, the anti-terror bill is in violation of international standards on human rights and counter-terrorism,” Amnesty International said in a statement. “It risks granting further excessive powers to the Philippine executive, which has presided over serious human rights violations in the country under President Duterte.”
The group highlighted the Duterte administration’s track record of human rights violations and extrajudicial killings through its bloody drug war, red-tagging of progressive groups, and increased climate of impunity during his term.
It said the bill must be amended to include a narrow definition of terrorism, limit detention without charge, and provide sufficient safeguards against abuse and misuse by the police and other security forces.
The House of Representatives during its last regular session on Friday overwhelmingly adopted Senate Bill 1083, or the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act, which was passed by the Senate in February.
The proposed measure, certified urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte, will repeal Human Security Act of 2007 by giving more surveillance powers to the government forces.
Although Duterte is expected to enact the controversial measure, his spokesman assured that it will be subject to final review before deciding on whether to sign it or not.
The proposed law defines a terrorist as anyone who participates in any activities which endangers a person’s life, causes damage or destruction to a government facility or private property, develops or possesses explosive devices or weapons, and releases any weapons of destruction.
The police and the military can now track down suspected individuals or organizations and record discussions or communications supposedly regarding terrorism.
Once enacted into law, suspected terrorists can be detained without a warrant of arrest to up to 14 days.
Furthermore, anyone who threatens to commit terrorism, perform, or incite others to do any such act will be penalized with an imprisonment of 12 years.
