Rep. Nograles: Anti-terror law targets terrorists, not activists

PBA party-list Representative Jericho Nograles stated that the proposed Anti-Terrorism Law is not intended to target activists but rather terrorists and violent extremists.

Nograles, an author of House Bill 6875, addressed concerns raised by groups about the law's potentially unconstitutional provisions, asserting that the measure includes safeguards for constitutional implementation.

He emphasized that the bill supports peaceful activism for reforms in the country, clarifying that ordinary citizens posting criticism against the government cannot be arrested under the new law.

Nograles stated that the bill is for the prevention of terrorist attacks in the country, noting that in the last 20 years, the Philippines has had many such attacks but lacked sufficient laws to prevent them.

The controversial House Bill 6875, which President Rodrigo Duterte certified as urgent, was passed during the lower chamber's session with 173 House members voting yes, 31 voting no, and 29 abstentions.

Previously, two House panels adopted Senate Bill 1083, the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2019, which aims to repeal and strengthen the Human Security Act of 2007.