Caritas Philippines opposes anti-terrorism bill

Caritas Philippines, the social action arm of the Catholic Church, has expressed concern over the new anti-terrorism bill, citing it as "unjust and unlawful" and a potential tool for "tyranny and totalitarianism."

Caritas Philippines national director Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo warned that the bill could be used to suppress free speech and harass dissenters.

The bill allows the government to wiretap suspects, make arrests without warrants, and detain individuals for 14 days, which Caritas Philippines states violates the Constitution.

The Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) also opposes the bill, fearing it will exacerbate red-tagging and human rights violations, and negatively impact peace negotiations.

PEPP co-chairperson Archbishop Antonio Ledesma appealed to President Duterte to veto the bill, stating it gives legitimacy to the criminalization of freedom and democracy.

Other religious leaders, including Bishops Gerardo Alminaza, Arturo Bastes, and Ruperto Santos, have also voiced their opposition, with Santos noting that the public's current concern is the COVID-19 pandemic, not terrorism.