MANILA (PNA) — Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile is not keen supporting an “Anti-Usisero” bill, saying there is already law that gives power to law enforcers to control the crowd in every sensitive police operations like the recent hostage-taking that claimed the lives of eight Hong Kong tourists.

”We have already a law. Put a police line and arrest can be made if it will be violated,” Enrile said in an interview.

The veteran lawmaker said the failure of the police to strictly implement the law has led to proliferation of violators such a boy bystander who was hit by a stray bullet when special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team stormed a bus during Manila hostage-taking incident.

”The law cannot enforce itself. The police has to strictly impose it to prevent bystanders in the crime scene,” Enrile said.

Recently Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. filed Senate Bill 2399 which aims to jail for up to six months or fine P3,000 people who ignore a police line and disturb a crime scene.

Revilla’s bill also seeks to amend Presidential Decree 1829 on the obstruction of arrest and prosecution of criminal offenders.

Enrile, a former defense minister and a lawyer, also opposed House Bill 2737 filed by Cebu congressman Gabriel Luis Quisumbing.

The House bill seeks to impose news blackout during crises, preventing media from reporting police and military operations.

”It is no longer necessary. All you have to do is to put a cordon. You can tell the media to stay at this distance and not interfere with the operational aspect of the event,” Enrile said.