03-07-2025
Makabayan solons push for repeal of Anti-Terror law
"It has only served to justify attacks against ordinary Filipinos and those who champion their rights. We must repeal this law to protect our fundamental freedoms,' ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Tino said. (Photo from ACT Teachers Party-list FB post)
A bill repealing the Anti-Terrorism law, a 2020 measure which allows detention of terrorism suspects for as long as 24 days without a warrant, has been filed in the House of Representatives.
Party-list Reps. Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers and Renee Louise Co of Kabataan sought the repeal, which they branded as 'Terror Law,' under their House Bill 1272.
'The chilling effect of this law has undermined the work of human rights defenders, journalists, teachers, students, and grassroots organizers. The Terror Law has no place in a society that values democracy and human rights," the lawmakers said.
"It has only served to justify attacks against ordinary Filipinos and those who champion their rights. We must repeal this law to protect our fundamental freedoms,' Tinio added.
Under the Anti-Terror law, terrorism is committed by any person who, within or outside the Philippines, regardless of the stage of execution, engages in acts intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person, or endangers a person's life; engages in acts intended to cause extensive damage or destruction to government or public facility, public place or private property; or engages in acts intended to cause extensive interference with, damage or destruction to critical infrastructure.
The opposition lawmakers said that such a broad definition of terrorism allows state forces to arbitrarily tag individuals and organizations as terrorists based on mere intent or suspicion.
They said the state's duty to ensure peace and security must never come at the expense of people's rights and freedoms.
They cited the case of Japer Gurung and Junior Ramos, the Aeta farmers who were freed after the court junked terrorism charges against them due to insufficient evidence.
'The true path to peace and justice lies not in repression, but in addressing the roots of poverty, inequality, and social unrest. We call on our colleagues in Congress to support the immediate repeal of the Terror Law,' they added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
