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(Position Paper) Anti - Terrorism Act of 2020
(Position Paper) Anti - Terrorism Act of 2020
The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 or the Republic Act No. 11479 is an act to prevent,
prohibit, and penalize terrorism in the Philippines. It was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on
July 3, 2020 and repealed the Republic Act No.9372 known as the " Human Security Act of 2007"
The Act defines terrorism as engaging in acts intended to cause death or serious bodily
injury to any person or endangers a person's life; Engaging in acts intended to cause extensive
Engaging in acts intended to cause extensive interference with, damage, or destruction to critical
weapons; and Releasing dangerous substances or causing fire, floods or explosions when the
purpose is to intimidate the general public, create an atmosphere to spread a message of fear,
destabilize or destroy the fundamental political, economic, or social structures in the country, or
My views on the anti-terrorism bill implemented in our country as part of our law are that
the law itself is nearly as good, but particular provisions need to be changed and added. Such as
that there must be a safeguard against wrongful detention, a clear and concise provision that
protects the freedom of speech among citizens. Individuals with backgrounds on counter-
insurgency efforts and human rights should be present in the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC). The
law should also include funding for anti-radicalization efforts through the creation of government-
funded religious schools. The creation of a religious affairs committee composed of representatives
of various religions, that carefully screens private religious schools for any extremist infused
teaching, before given the license to operate. Before printed publications are allowed to be
published, publications that support racial violence and ideological extremism should be screened
by an Anti-Terrorism Publications committee. Lastly, the Anti-Terrorism Law should also include
the creation of a homeland security department. Although I understand why this bill was very
controversial and have received extensive backlash and critique from different sectors across youth
groups, academia, church, business, and civil society because the law creates an ambiguity in
understanding the concept of terrorism that may lead to the abuse in the power of authority.
Although as defined in the bill, it excludes advocacy, protest, dissent, stoppage of work, industrial
or mass action, and other similar exercises of civil and political rights ( Section 4), the dangers and
fears remains that may affect the rights of those who are wrongly accused and the people in general.
In conclusion, the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 is both beneficial to our country's safety and
is harmful if handled the wrong way in such law enforcements and higher-ups will abuse the law
to reign power. To prevent these from happening, our country and our fellowmen must work
together to build a system where support, equality, and rights should be present to ensure that our
country and its states are free from any forms of violence.