BAGUIO City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has expressed his full support for the enactment of the government's Anti-Terrorism Bill.
"I fully support the Anti-Terror Bill 2020. In fact, I am now in touch with all the governors [in the Cordillera] and we are preparing the draft for an expression of support through a virtual referendum," said the city mayor who sits as Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) chairman.
The function of RPOC is to formulate plans and recommend such measures that will improve or enhance peace and order and public safety in their respective areas of responsibility.
Meanwhile, Baguio Representative Mark Go abstained from voting on the measure.
"The work of legislators is to enact policies that uphold the general welfare of the public. In doing so, we seek to balance the powers and authorities granted to the government with the rights and interests reserved to the people. The Anti-Terrorism Bill is far from simple; it is a piece of legislation that requires in-depth and thorough review and deliberations," Go said.
The Baguio lawmaker explained it was only on June 1 when House Bill 6875 was certified as urgent by the Office of the President while the letter-certification was transmitted to the House of Representatives only on June 2. Within a single day, the periods for interpellation and amendments were opened and closed.
Go added on June 3, the final approval of the bill was put into a vote. It transpired for only three days and under "the most unfortunate of circumstances."
"This representation is one with the authors of this measure, in seeking to strengthen our laws against individuals and organizations who threaten the safety of our people. I am against terrorism, and I stand for laws that promote peace, justice, and progress. However, in light of the prevailing circumstances; a pandemic that forces us to work under a system that is not conducive for extensive deliberations, the sheer volume of bills that seek to urgently address the pandemic and other important national issues, and the fast-approaching adjournment of this Congress, we are unable to fully discuss and study as one the proposal being presented before us," Go said.
Go said he intended to introduce amendments to the current bill but failed due to a lack of sufficient time.
Had there been enough time, Go added there would have been more time to discuss the proposal; to listen to the proposals and opinions of experts and representatives of different sectors; to see to it that the measure is reflective of the desires for a just system that is empowered to truly protect the citizens from all forms of terrorism; and to fully ensure that proper and sufficient safeguard against abuses is in place.
The human rights group Karapatan has called to junk the measure.
In a statement, the organization reiterated its call to junk the bill amid arrests of activists in the country.
"Twenty lawmakers reportedly withdrew their yes votes on the Anti-Terrorism Bill. This is a big and unprecedented number. There is a visible and growing clamor to junk the Anti-Terrorism Bill, and yet the rubber-stamp Congress has now sneakily transmitted the bill to Malacanang on June 9, serving it on a bloody silver platter, just awaiting the president's signature," the statement read.
Karapatan is calling on lawmakers to raise their voices to oppose the railroading of the terror bill.
"We urge all freedom-loving Filipinos to not let their voices be silenced despite machinations to sow fear. Let us continue to struggle for our rights and hard-won freedoms."
Karapatan is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people's organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people's rights and civil liberties.
