Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) — The designation of Rep. Arnie Teves and other members of his alleged organization as terrorists is “significant” as it “expands” the definition of a terrorist group, Sen. Chiz Escudero said Thursday, as he urged the public to be vigilant about the development.
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“Significant itong deklarasyon ng Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) kasi sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, binuksan nila, pinalawak nila ‘yong depinisyon ng teroristang grupo,” Escudero told a media forum.[Translation: The declaration of the Anti-Terrorism Council is significant because for the first time, they opened and expanded the definition of a terrorist group.]He added the declaration is “broader than our usual concept of a terrorist group” but he clarified he is not opposing the tagging of Teves as a terrorist nor saying that the implementation or interpretation of the law is wrong.“In other words, ang direksyon bang pinupuntahan ng ATC ay sinumang may private armed group ay pwedeng madeklarang terrorist organization?” the senator asked.[Translation: Is the ATC going in the direction that anyone who has a private armed group could be called a terrorist group?]“There is always that potential to abuse and weaponize agencies of government to silence political opposition,” he said. “I don’t think that’s present in this particular situation but that gives us enough reason to be vigilant about it, aware about it, and just be aware na lumalawak yong depinisyon [that the definition is expanding].”Escudero also said he intends to question the ATC during budget deliberation on its decision to designate Teves as a terrorist and if this might just be a strategy to force the lawmaker to return to the country.
