The controversial anti-terrorism bill has been passed easily in the House of Representatives and will be considered to be signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duerte to become a law.
The Anti-Terrorism Bill has been pending in the House of Representatives and President Duterte voiced out the urgency to be passed.
But some human rights advocates indicated that the controversial bill has some provisions which violate the rights of the people. Some provisions like to designate individuals or groups as terrorists should be left to courts.
Other voices indicated that the Philippines’ version of the anti-terrorist bill, when it would become a law, is not too harsh as compared with other countries dealing with terrorists. National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana pointed out critics of the government are not terrorists especially those peaceful demonstrations against the government.
Photo by: Bullit Marquez/AP
