National Security Adviser Secretary Hermogenes Esperon assured the anti-terrorism bill has been studied by people with knowledge, expertise, and experience on national security during the years it has been pushed in Congress.
“Katulong natin dito ay mga experts na maraming nanggaling sa United Nations at experts also from other countries (We got help from experts most of whom are from the United Nations and experts from other countries),” Hermogenes disclosed.
Esperon insisted that activism cannot be considered as terrorism amid groups expressing fears on the possibility of freedom of speech being stifled due to the bill.
He also claimed that a law against the threat of terrorism is for national security which could also pave the way for development in the countryside.
“Sa Mindanao na lang, kung walang gulo-gulo sa Mindanao pustahan tayo one to one percent na minimum ang itataas ng ating gross domestic product (In Mindanao alone, if there are no conflicts in Mindanao, I bet there would be one to one percent minimum increase in our gross domestic product),” he said.
Esperon assured President Rodrigo R. Duterte is thoroughly studying the bill before signing it now that Malacaῆang has its enrolled copy. – Report from Bea Bernardo
