Dela Rosa: Anti-terror bill will not lead to abuse or human rights violations

Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa maintained that the proposed anti-terrorism measure cannot be used as a tool for human rights violations and to silence political dissent and activism in the country.

Dela Rosa said Senate Bill No. 1083 or the Anti-Terror Bill clearly defines acts of terror and contains safeguards for civil and political rights.

“Terrorism as defined in this section shall not include advocacy, protest, dissent stoppage of work, industrial or mass action and other similar exercises of civil and political rights which are not intended to cause death or serious physical harm to a person, to endanger a person’s life, or to create a serious risk to public safety,” the senator and former police chief explained.

He reiterated that activism and rallying are not even considered acts of terror.

“Kahit po magsigaw-sigaw ka dyan [ng] makibaka, makibaka hindi po kayo saklaw dito. Mahirap kasi yung information ngayon na ginagawa ng mga kaliwa about anti-terrorism bill dahil takot sila alam nila tatamaan ang NPA dito kaya talagang humaharang talaga sila,” Dela Rosa said.

(Even if someone said, fight, that is not under the scope of this law. The information that the left is spreading is not trustworthy because they know the law will hit the NPA (New People’s Army), which is why they are blocking it)

The senator also clarified that the sole function of the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) is purely administrative in nature and not judicial. 

The proposed anti-terror measure was already transmitted to the Palace for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte.