Tag: Anti-Terrorism Law

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On the Manila RTC’s Dismissal of the Proscription Case vs the CPP-NPA

The Manila RTC’s dismissal of the pending proscription case is pursuant to the Saving Clause provision under the Anti-Terrorism Act and should not in any way be interpreted as a setback for the law itself.

That being said, that is exactly the reason why “proscription” is designed to be the exclusive authority of the judiciary since it could involve possible detention of individuals and members of organizations suspected to be violating the Act, hence due process of law must be strictly observed.

Unlike “designation” which only involves preliminary freezing of bank accounts and assets of those involved in terrorist financing, and which the Anti-Terrorism Council is given the authority to perform since it is merely an administrative act.

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On Senator Legarda’s ‘Stand’ that the CPP-NDF is Not an Enemy of the State

Well said. I could not agree more with the statement of the NTF-ELCAC.*

Senator Legarda is a friend and I respect her opinion but I cannot for the life of me agree with her stand, apparently articulated by her statement that the CPP-NPA-NDF is not an enemy of the state. Simply put, an armed terrorist group — already designated not only by the government of the Republic of the Philippines but also by the European Union, the United States of America and four other countries (Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand) — is unequivocally an enemy of the state.

That being said, any attempt to amend the Anti-Terrorism Act is a disrespect to our comrades-in-arms as well as the countless civilians who fell victims to the atrocities of this terrorist group that has lost its ideological principles over the years – they murder, they rob, they extort, they harass and intimidate and worse, indiscriminately.

Having authored and sponsored and almost single-handedly defended the legislative measure in the Senate plenary, as well as in the battle for public opinion in many fora including the media, I will not hesitate to be part of the opposition to thwart moves to amend this law in its substantive form which no less than the Supreme Court has declared as constitutional.

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On the Blocking of Websites ‘Affiliated to and Supporting’ Terrorist Organizations

If the blocked websites had to do with financing the activities of the CPP-NPA which the Anti-Terrorism Council had already designated as a terrorist organization, there is legal basis under the law for such action undertaken by the NTC.

That being said, the action may be challenged before the court because it is the basic right of an “aggrieved” party to do so as it has something to do with the interpretation of the law.

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Ping, Nagbabala sa mga Mag-Aabuso sa Anti-Terror Law: Mapapanagot Kayo

Ang batas ay batas at walang special treatment. Ang mga lalabag sa mga karapatang pantao ay pananagutin.

Ito ang binigyang diin ni Senador Ping Lacson. Aniya, ang mga mahuhuli lamang na gumawa ng acts of terrorism ang mapaparusahan ng Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

“No matter who you are, if you commit acts of terrorism, you will be answerable under the law. The law is the law. Walang target ito kundi ang nagko-commit ng acts of terrorism,” ani Lacson sa presscon sa Dumaguete City nitong Sabado ng tanghali.

Related: Lacson Warns Rights Abusers under Anti-Terror Law: You Will be Held Liable
Continue reading “Ping, Nagbabala sa mga Mag-Aabuso sa Anti-Terror Law: Mapapanagot Kayo”

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Lacson Warns Rights Abusers under Anti-Terror Law: You Will be Held Liable

The law is the law and there should be no “special treatment,” but those who violate human rights must be held accountable and even criminally liable.

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this as he said the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 should penalize only those committing acts of terrorism.

“No matter who you are, if you commit acts of terrorism, you will be answerable under the law. The law is the law. Walang target ito kundi ang nagko-commit ng acts of terrorism (The law is the law. It should target no one else but those committing acts of terrorism),” Lacson said at a news conference in Dumaguete City Saturday afternoon.

Related: Ping, Nagbabala sa mga Mag-Aabuso sa Anti-Terror Law: Mapapanagot Kayo
Continue reading “Lacson Warns Rights Abusers under Anti-Terror Law: You Will be Held Liable”