House approves anti-terror bill on final reading

The House of Representatives approved House Bill 6875, the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, on third and final reading with 173 affirmative votes, 31 negative votes, and 29 abstentions.

President Rodrigo Duterte certified the bill as urgent, allowing Congress to expedite its passage and address the need to strengthen anti-terrorism laws.

The measure repeals the Human Security Act of 2007 and introduces provisions imposing life imprisonment without parole on individuals involved in planning, training, preparation, and facilitation of terrorist acts, or possessing related materials.

The bill also stipulates a penalty of 12 years imprisonment for anyone who threatens to commit terrorism or incites others to commit terrorism.

Concerns persist regarding the potential for the law to suppress dissent and lead to human rights abuses, with critics warning it could be used against government critics.

Gabriela Women's Party Representative Arlene Brosas warned that "ordinary citizens" could be accused of terrorism by mere association or indirect relation to a terrorist act.

Brosas also stated that "just thinking about calling for an uprising to oust the President" could lead to imprisonment under the new law.

Critics described the bill as "draconian" and "railroaded," suggesting it will be used to silence dissent against the administration.

The controversial new anti-terrorism bill is now up for President Rodrigo Duterte's signature, having bypassed a bicameral conference committee due to identical versions from the Senate and House.