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(Position Paper) Anti - Terrorism Act of 2020

The document discusses the author's views on the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 in the Philippines. The author believes the law is generally good but that some provisions need changes to protect civil liberties and prevent abuse of power. The author proposes adding safeguards against wrongful detention, protecting freedom of speech, and including representatives from human rights and counter-insurgency on the Anti-Terrorism Council. While understanding the need for the law, the author expresses concerns that its vague definition of terrorism could enable abuse of authority if not implemented carefully.

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Karylle Guingguing
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814 views2 pages

(Position Paper) Anti - Terrorism Act of 2020

The document discusses the author's views on the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 in the Philippines. The author believes the law is generally good but that some provisions need changes to protect civil liberties and prevent abuse of power. The author proposes adding safeguards against wrongful detention, protecting freedom of speech, and including representatives from human rights and counter-insurgency on the Anti-Terrorism Council. While understanding the need for the law, the author expresses concerns that its vague definition of terrorism could enable abuse of authority if not implemented carefully.

Uploaded by

Karylle Guingguing
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name: Karylle Jayson Guingguing Date: October 11 ,2020

Subject & Section: IPHP– F Strand: STEAM 11

POSITION PAPER ON THE ANTI-TERRORISM BILL

The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 or the Republic Act No. 11479 is an act to prevent,

prohibit, and penalize terrorism in the Philippines. It was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on

July 3, 2020 and repealed the Republic Act No.9372 known as the " Human Security Act of 2007"

on July 18, 2020.

The Act defines terrorism as engaging in acts intended to cause death or serious bodily

injury to any person or endangers a person's life; Engaging in acts intended to cause extensive

damage or destruction to a government or public facility, public place, or private property;

Engaging in acts intended to cause extensive interference with, damage, or destruction to critical

infrastructure; Developing, manufacturing, possessing, acquiring, transporting, supplying, or using

weapons; and Releasing dangerous substances or causing fire, floods or explosions when the

purpose is to intimidate the general public, create an atmosphere to spread a message of fear,

provoke or influence by intimidation the government or any international organization, seriously

destabilize or destroy the fundamental political, economic, or social structures in the country, or

create a public emergency or seriously undermine public safety.

My views on the anti-terrorism bill implemented in our country as part of our law are that

the law itself is nearly as good, but particular provisions need to be changed and added. Such as

that there must be a safeguard against wrongful detention, a clear and concise provision that

protects the freedom of speech among citizens. Individuals with backgrounds on counter-
insurgency efforts and human rights should be present in the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC). The

law should also include funding for anti-radicalization efforts through the creation of government-

funded religious schools. The creation of a religious affairs committee composed of representatives

of various religions, that carefully screens private religious schools for any extremist infused

teaching, before given the license to operate. Before printed publications are allowed to be

published, publications that support racial violence and ideological extremism should be screened

by an Anti-Terrorism Publications committee. Lastly, the Anti-Terrorism Law should also include

the creation of a homeland security department. Although I understand why this bill was very

controversial and have received extensive backlash and critique from different sectors across youth

groups, academia, church, business, and civil society because the law creates an ambiguity in

understanding the concept of terrorism that may lead to the abuse in the power of authority.

Although as defined in the bill, it excludes advocacy, protest, dissent, stoppage of work, industrial

or mass action, and other similar exercises of civil and political rights ( Section 4), the dangers and

fears remains that may affect the rights of those who are wrongly accused and the people in general.

In conclusion, the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 is both beneficial to our country's safety and

is harmful if handled the wrong way in such law enforcements and higher-ups will abuse the law

to reign power. To prevent these from happening, our country and our fellowmen must work

together to build a system where support, equality, and rights should be present to ensure that our

country and its states are free from any forms of violence.

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