Why tough new anti-terror bill strikes fear—even to non-terrorists

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MANILA—A new bill granting Philippine state forces sweeping powers against terrorists has sparked fears that it may be also used to crack down on legitimate dissent under President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte himself sought the swift passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 while the country is still grappling with the coronavirus pandemic, which has sickened nearly 19,000 people and killed more than 960 of them in the country.

But Banlaoi, who provided inputs in the crafting of the bill, admitted it could also be used against groups allegedly fronting for the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army . “It will terrorize targeted critics, dissenters and social advocates more than the real terrorists with unbridled state power and prejudice through subjective definitions, arbitrary arrests, and extended detentions,” he said.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque on Tuesday denied there was any "draconian" provision in the new set of amendments, saying they were based on anti-terrorism laws in other countries.Details of what constitute terrorism under the bill have worried human rights lawyers, who noted how the new definition “swivels” from “its effects upon the people toward its effect upon the government.”

Terrorism does not include “advocacy, protest, dissent... and other similar exercise of civil and political rights” not meant to “cause death or serious physical harm... or create a serious risk to public safety.”

 

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Because it will be prone to abuse by the people who will enforce them

Media's negativity is one major factor why there is fear about anti terror law. Law abiding citizens have nothing to fear as the law is for them and not against them.

Because we dont trust the enforcers

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