Tag: Anti-Terrorism Law

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Ping Lacson: Removal from FATF Grey List to Bring in More Jobs

The Philippines’ removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)’s grey list should bring in more jobs as investors become more confident in putting their money in the Philippines, former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

Lacson also credited the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and the strengthening of the Anti-Money Laundering Act – which he authored, co-authored and/or sponsored – as well as the total ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) for the removal from the grey list.

“When we are removed from the grey list, investors should become more confident in doing business here. Also playing a big role are the Anti-Terrorism Act’s provisions on terrorist financing and Anti-Money Laundering Act,” he said in Filipino, in an interview on Bombo Radyo.

“All these combined, plus the ban on POGOs, all had a role in our removal from the FATF grey list. And the positive effect is that investors are now more confident putting their money here,” he added.

Related: Ping Lacson: Dadami ang Trabaho Ngayo’y Wala na Tayo sa FATF Grey List

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On the Supreme Court’s Rules Regarding the Anti-Terrorism Law

As an author and principal sponsor of the measure, I could not agree more with the Supreme Court’s rules in its interpretation of the law. Aside from the other safeguards provided in the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 against possible abuse by law enforcement agents, we have effectively amended the Anti-Wiretapping Law which only requires a regional trial court judge to authorize law enforcement officers to conduct technical surveillance on persons suspected of committing certain crimes.

As far as violations of the ATA, a division of the Court of Appeals now has the authority to issue that judicial warrant. The arrest and detention without judicial warrant is akin to citizen’s arrest which is already allowed under existing jurisprudence. We merely extended the allowable period of detention due to the unusual nature of the crime of terrorism which could arbitrarily endanger the lives of innocent civilians more than the violations of the Revised Penal Code and other special laws.

Still, compared to other jurisdictions, the Philippines’ Anti-Terrorism Law has one of the shortest reglementary periods of detention of arrested terrorists.

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On the PNP’s No-Ceasefire Stance on the NPA

I support the PNP on this. The CPP/NPA is almost a spent force – thanks to the efforts of former President Rodrigo Duterte and the security forces during his term as president.

We should not squander those gains by giving them – already designated as a terrorist group – another breathing space to regroup and reconsolidate their strength to fight and overthrow the duly constituted authority which is their ONLY agenda in the first place.

If they surrender peacefully and unconditionally, they should be treated humanely and justly as fellow Filipinos. Otherwise, government should remain hard on them.

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Lacson: Making peace with communist rebels defies gov’t policy [Inquirer]

From Inquirer.net: The government’s attempt to make peace with communist rebels is inconsistent with the state policy not to negotiate with terrorists, former senator Ping Lacson said on Thursday.

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Lacson sees arrogance in UN special envoy’s call for anti-terror law’s repeal [Inquirer]

From Inquirer.net: Former Senator Ping Lacson on Friday criticized UN Special Rapporteur Ian Fry after the envoy asked Philippine government to revoke the Anti-Terrorism Act.

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