We support President Rodrigo Duterte’s move to further affirm the administration’s proactive campaign against terrorism by signing into law the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
With the law, a more discerning mechanism is in place to prevent and deter the threats and dangers posed by terrorists to the Filipino people. The new legislation addresses flaws in the Human Security Act of 2007, which served as a dead letter law and was severely underutilized, and helps advance our country’s national security interests.
As the Philippines is heavily afflicted by terrorism, as reflected in its ranking in the Global Terrorism Index of 2019, the Duterte administration stands with a firm position of undertaking stricter measures against terrorists, including foreign ones, while maintaining the respect for human rights as we have ensured safeguards against abuse.
The PCOO will cooperate with and support all relevant agencies in addressing the issue of terrorism while adhering to human rights and rule of law.
Let us all work together to defeat terrorism and fulfill the President’s vision of a safe and secure, terrorism-free Philippines.
