New Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay recommended the inclusion of regulating social media in the implementing rules and regulation of the Anti-Terrorism Law.
“This is the platform now being used by terrorists to radicalize, to recruit and even plan terrorist acts,” AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gapay has said.
However, several militant have expressed fear towards the recommendation. Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes stated that it will violate the Constitution and will be a threat to freedom of expression.
“Dahil ang definition ng terrorism ay nakapalawak, at may bago pang krimen na inciting terrorism, baka ipagpalagay na ang Facebook post ay pwede nilang sabihin na ‘yan ay terorismo. (Because the definition of terrorism is broad, and there is a new crime that is inciting terrorism, they can say that a Facebook post is terrorism).”
The Commission of Human Rights (CHR) disagreed with the suggestion of Lt. Gen. Gapay due to a possible violation of right to privacy.
“As there is nothing in the law that allows for the regulation of social media, to push for the inclusion of such questionable provision would go beyond the legislative intent of the law, justifying instead the fears of the people already against the law.”
Meanwhile, Malacañang made it clear that the proposal is only the personal opinion of the AFP Chief.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, there is already a law existing regarding the use of social media.
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana agreed that regulating social media will violate the freedom of speech.
However, Sec. Delfin relayed what the AFP Chief really meant, “he said his explanation was incomplete. According to him he meant the dark net, that clandestine network that peddles drugs, traffic people, sells guns and explosives, hire assassins and other illegal activities.”
For its part, the Department of Justice (DOJ) pointed out that it is too early to include social media in the draft of the implementing rules and regulations of the Anti-Terror Law.
“We shall consult our law enforcement and military institutions as we go along. We shall also coordinate with intelligence agencies for inputs, DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra stated.
Report from Bea Bernardo
