Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020: Deprivation of Rights

Argument: Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 limits human rights, particularly the freedom of speech
and has a frightening amount of power given to the administration.

Evidence: According to Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Regional Director, Bequelin

(2020), the government has officially founded a bigger weapon to brand and pursue any
perceived state opponents. In the current environment of impunity, a law with such a broad
definition of terrorism will only exacerbate attacks on human rights defenders. The passage of
this bill gives the government far-reaching and unrestrained powers.

Terrorism constitutes a serious threat to human rights and democracy There is a compelling
duty for states to protect the general interest of public security and the rule of law without
jeopardizing the core of human rights, The Anti-Terrorism Law passed earlier this month
complements the Duterte Administration’s arsenal of tools, giving it the ability to label, detain
and eliminate government critics using a vague definition of ‘terrorism’. In the prevailing
climate of impunity and attacks against human rights defenders, this law granting the
government excessive and unchecked powers will only further jeopardize the safety of defenders.
To defeat terrorism, a policy strategy should include three components: intelligence,
integration, and development. Intelligence. A terrorist attack is relatively easy to conduct.
Modern societies offer many exposed and vulnerable targets: an airport, a crowded celebration
by the beach, a bus station at peak hours, or a restaurant full of expats. Under Anti-Terrorism
Law people can be apprehended without a warrant and detained for weeks before appearing
before a judge. Not only is the law broad enough to permit the detention of people for social
media posts critical of the government, but it also makes it a criminal offense to ‘incite others’ to
commit terrorism through ‘speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, banners,’ further
restricting freedom of expression and the media. The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 amends the
Human Security Act of 2007. It expands the definition of terrorism to include acts intended to
cause "death or serious bodily injury to any person," "extensive damage and destruction" to a
government facility, private property, or critical infrastructure, and when the purpose of those
acts is to "intimidate the general public," "create an atmosphere or message of fear," or
"seriously destabilize or destroy the fundamental political, economic and social structures of the
country." Those found guilty face life sentences without the chance of parole.

On 3 July 2020, the Philippine President signed into law Republic Act No. 11479, or The Anti-
Terrorism Act of 2020 the “Act” a law that seeks to prevent, prohibit, and penalize terrorism.
The Act repealed the Human Security Act of 2007, the old anti-terrorism law of the Philippines.
Although the implementing rules and regulations are yet to be promulgated, the Act already took
effect in the Philippines. It bears noting, however, that the Act has an extraterritorial
application, which means that it may also apply to non-Filipino citizens or those situated outside
the territorial limits of the Philippines.