President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the anti-terror bill into law, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año announced on Friday.
The Office of the Executive Secretary, Department of Justice and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo earlier gave separate comments on the measure, which has drawn criticism because it allegedly contained provisions that may be used to stifle dissent.
Critics have also warned against the up-to 24-day warrantless detention period for suspected terrorists, and the alleged authority of the Anti-Terrorism Council to authorize in writing the arrest of terrorism suspects.
On Tuesday, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet asked Duterte not to sign the bill, saying the proposal’s looming enactment heightened their concern about the “blurring of important distinctions between criticism, criminality and terrorism.”
She urged Duterte to come up with a legislation that contains safeguards against abuse.
Roque replied that developed countries have “more draconian” laws against terrorism, citing the United States and the United Kingdom.
He said the Philippine lawmakers behind the bill “looked at the European legislation as a model” in drafting the proposed measure, which seeks to replace the 13-year Human Security Act. -NB, GMA News
Source: Peso Economics
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
No comments:
Post a Comment