Lorenzana, Esperon allay fears on anti-terrorism bill
Published May 31, 2020 12:00 am
By Martin SadongdongÂ
There is no need to fear the proposed bill that aims to strengthen the government's measures against terrorism as safeguards were put in place to ensure it will not be used against opposition and progressive groups, top defense and security officials assured the public on Sunday (May 31).
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is greeted by Secretary of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana upon his arrival for the 13th Cabinet Meeting at the State Dining Room in Malacañang Palace on March 6, 2017. Also in the photo is National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. (TOTO LOZANO / Presidential Photo / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the bill's detractors, whom he said are mostly communist insurgents and their allies, only picked some provisions from the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 to "add their own interpretation to scare the people."
"The people need not fear. The proposed law has safeguards of civil liberties and sanctions to law enforcement agencies," he told reporters.
The defense chief also said the bill was deliberated upon lengthily by both concerned committees in the Senate and House of Representatives.
"All sectors were invited as resource persons during these deliberations. All sides were heard," he added.
Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. echoed Lorenzana's statements as he assured law-abiding and peace-loving people that they have nothing to worry about.
"The bills provide for measures that will preclude or minimize abuses in implementing the law," Esperon said.
Last Friday, the House committees on public order and safety and on national defense and security adopted the Senate version of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (Senate Bill No. 1083) to repeal the Human Security Act of 2007. The bill will then be subjected to plenary debates.
Among the notable amendments in the new bill include an expanded definition of "terrorist acts," an extended amount of time a suspected terrorist can be detained after a warrantless arrest, the removal of the P500,000 fine for law enforcers who detain a suspect acquitted of terrorism, and the prolonged period that an individual's communications be put under surveillance.
Lawmakers who opposed the bill were worried that it may be used to "silence" individuals who express dissent against the government.
Esperon, however, argued that the bill emphasizes State policy to protect life, liberty, and property from terrorism.
On the issue of wiretapping, he said it may only be carried out upon the authorization of the courts.
"Such court orders shall be held in confidentiality and time-bound. Records of wiretapping shall be in the custody of courts. Unauthorized wiretapping can be punished by 10 years imprisonment as proposed," he said.
Esperon also explained that proscription of individuals as terrorists will undergo strict procedures.
"Arrests will be reported to the courts. Free legal assistance will be available," he said.
He also said the bill provides for the reasonable freezing of accounts and funds of suspected terrorists and terror organizations. "Malicious examination of bank accounts will be punishable."
As for the dropping of the P500,000 penalty for wrongful arrests, Esperon said that particular provision in the Human Security Act was what it made it a "dead letter law" and "ineffective."
The bills will also create the Anti-Terrorism Council headed by the Executive Secretary, another safeguard raised by Esperon.
"It will run a program to prevent violent extremism, combat terror by force, build capacity together with international counterterrorism organizations, and ensure adherence to law," he said.
To investigate violations, the Commission on Human Rights will be tapped and a joint Congressional Oversight committee will be constituted from among the majority and minority members of Congress.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is greeted by Secretary of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana upon his arrival for the 13th Cabinet Meeting at the State Dining Room in Malacañang Palace on March 6, 2017. Also in the photo is National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. (TOTO LOZANO / Presidential Photo / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the bill's detractors, whom he said are mostly communist insurgents and their allies, only picked some provisions from the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 to "add their own interpretation to scare the people."
"The people need not fear. The proposed law has safeguards of civil liberties and sanctions to law enforcement agencies," he told reporters.
The defense chief also said the bill was deliberated upon lengthily by both concerned committees in the Senate and House of Representatives.
"All sectors were invited as resource persons during these deliberations. All sides were heard," he added.
Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. echoed Lorenzana's statements as he assured law-abiding and peace-loving people that they have nothing to worry about.
"The bills provide for measures that will preclude or minimize abuses in implementing the law," Esperon said.
Last Friday, the House committees on public order and safety and on national defense and security adopted the Senate version of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (Senate Bill No. 1083) to repeal the Human Security Act of 2007. The bill will then be subjected to plenary debates.
Among the notable amendments in the new bill include an expanded definition of "terrorist acts," an extended amount of time a suspected terrorist can be detained after a warrantless arrest, the removal of the P500,000 fine for law enforcers who detain a suspect acquitted of terrorism, and the prolonged period that an individual's communications be put under surveillance.
Lawmakers who opposed the bill were worried that it may be used to "silence" individuals who express dissent against the government.
Esperon, however, argued that the bill emphasizes State policy to protect life, liberty, and property from terrorism.
On the issue of wiretapping, he said it may only be carried out upon the authorization of the courts.
"Such court orders shall be held in confidentiality and time-bound. Records of wiretapping shall be in the custody of courts. Unauthorized wiretapping can be punished by 10 years imprisonment as proposed," he said.
Esperon also explained that proscription of individuals as terrorists will undergo strict procedures.
"Arrests will be reported to the courts. Free legal assistance will be available," he said.
He also said the bill provides for the reasonable freezing of accounts and funds of suspected terrorists and terror organizations. "Malicious examination of bank accounts will be punishable."
As for the dropping of the P500,000 penalty for wrongful arrests, Esperon said that particular provision in the Human Security Act was what it made it a "dead letter law" and "ineffective."
The bills will also create the Anti-Terrorism Council headed by the Executive Secretary, another safeguard raised by Esperon.
"It will run a program to prevent violent extremism, combat terror by force, build capacity together with international counterterrorism organizations, and ensure adherence to law," he said.
To investigate violations, the Commission on Human Rights will be tapped and a joint Congressional Oversight committee will be constituted from among the majority and minority members of Congress.