Sen. Lacson Says Anti-Terror Bill Protects Philippines From Terror Groups
ANTI-TERROR BILL PROTECTS PHILIPPINES – The controversial “Anti-Terror” bill has been a highly debated by many as a tool to oppress free speech.
However, the backers of the bill believe otherwise. They explained that with the bill in action, the Filipino people could sleep soundly in the night knowing that terror would be apprehended.
Likewise, Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday said that the bill aimed to secure and protect the country from both domestic and foreign terrorist groups such as the Abu Sayaff and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or ISIS.
In response to heavy criticism, Lacson stated:
As author and principal sponsor, I made sure that it adheres to the Bill of Rights as enumerated in the 1987 Constitution,
Aside from being a former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Lacson is also a chairman of the Senate National Defense and Security committee. Thus, He believes that he is well equipped with the knowledge and experience regarding terrorism.
However, Senators such as Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan voiced out against the bill. According to an article from Manila Bulletin, the opposition emphasized there was no need to grant the government powers to retrench the right of the Filipino.
With the bill in effect, even criticism from netizens could be considered as an act of terrorism if deemed so by the government. Nowadays, netizens, especially the youth, have been vocal and critical of the government’s actions amidst the pandemic.
As such, the Pangilinan requested the Senate to hear the complaints and please of the Filipino. As per the article, he stated:
Hindi natin kailangan ng anti-terror bill, kailangan natin ng trabaho, pagkain, health service, public transport at maayos na serbisyo ng gobyerno
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