President Rodrigo R. Duterte has certified as urgent the bill seeking to amend the anti-terrorism law in the country.
Based on the letter submitted by President Duterte to Congress, he officially requested lawmakers to speed up the passing of the anti-terrorism bill which will aid the government in quelling terrorism and activities related to it.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that based on the information he has gathered, the Chief Executive will push for the processing of the bill to be expedited. He also addressed doubts of the public on the proposed law.
“Wala namang basehan iyong kanilang mga opposition dahil binasa ko iyong panukalang batas. Nandito sa akin ngayon. Iyon namang karapatan ng mga tao ay may sapat na provisions (There is no basis for their opposition because I have read the bill. It is with me now. There are enough provisions for human rights),” Lorenzana elucidated.
“At saka iyong mga law enforcement agencies ay may sapat ding kaparusahan sa mga nag-aabuso. So walang dapat ipangamba ang ating mga kababayan (And law enforcement agencies have enough sanctions for those who will be abusive. So there is no cause of worry for our citizens),” he added. – Report from Mela Lesmoras