Senator Panfilo Lacson said he is willing to join street protests in case the proposed anti-terrorism act of 2020 is abused as an assurance that the bill is guaranteed to safeguard citizens from terrorism acts.
“The anti-terrorism bill is the wrong tree to bark on. I vow to join those who are concerned, genuinely or otherwise, about the proposed law’s implementation to be as vigilant in monitoring each and every wrongful implementation by our security forces, even to the point of joining them in street protests,” Lacson promised.
Lacson clarified Section 29 of the bill which has become the “focus of many challenges on its constitutionality is merely a restatement of the same provision in the Human Security Act of 2007 or RA 9732.”
The senator added that the section has undergone further scrutiny of prominent senators such as Juan Ponce Enrile, Miriam Santiago, and the late Aquilino Pimentel.
“The same Sec 29 underwent further scrutiny in the ensuing bicameral conference with the help of the more eminent members of the House panel, namely: the late Cong Simeon Datumanong, former DOJ secretary, Reps Douglas Cagas, Louie Villafuerte, Antonio Cuenco, Edcel Lagman, Teddy Boy Locsin Jr, now DFA secretary to name.”
Meanwhile, another former PNP chief supported him and said the bill is just in time for the security situation of the country.
“Alam ko grabe ang disinformation na ginagawa ngayon dito lalo na mga taga kaliwa dahil alam nila tatamaan ang NPA sa batas na ito (I know there is serious disinformation being done now especially by leftists since they know the NPA will be hit by this law),” Senator Ronald dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa further stated that law-abiding citizens who do not want terrorism “will rejoice when this bill is signed into law,” but terrorists or their supporters fear it. – Report from Eunice Samonte
