Senate vows to pass own version of anti-terrorism bill

Sen. Manny Villar assured the public yesterday that the Senate has not been neglecting its duty of working for the passage of the anti-terrorism bill, a day after the House of Representatives passed its own version of the law.

"We are in the final stages of drafting an anti-terrorism bill that adopts adequate, efficient and effective countermeasures to fight, suppress and penalize all acts of terrorism with due regard to and respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people as guaranteed under the Constitution," said Villar, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and illegal drugs.

The committee has finished four technical working group (TWG) sessions, with another one to be held before a committee report is be filed, Villar said.

The report will be deliberated on during the plenary session, he added.

Villar also rejected earlier reports that the Senate only began acting on the anti-terror bill following the Bali bombings that killed 26 people last Saturday. Reports suggest that the Philippines could be the next target.

"It is not fair to say that it is only because of the recent spate of bombings in Bali and in Zamboanga in August that we started work on the anti-terrorism bill. Even during the congressional break or recess, we conducted hearings and TWG meetings on the bill," pointed out Villar.

"We never really stopped working on the anti-terrorism bill because we are very well aware of the urgent need for our country to have a comprehensive anti-terrorism law once and for all," he said.

The five anti-terrorism bills filed include Senate Bill 735 or the Anti-Terrorism Act authored by Villar. The four others — SB 831, authored by Senators Panfilo Lacson and Juan Ponce Enrile; SB 871 by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada; SB 1736 by Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and SB 1768 by Sen. Alfredo Lim — are being consolidated in the various TWG sessions.

All bills strongly condemn terrorism and commonly seek to declare this global security problem as a heinous crime against humanity.

"Likewise, they all propose that adequate, efficient and effective measures be put in place to fight, suppress and penalize all forms of terrorism. Moreover, the bills acknowledge the borderless nature of terrorism and encourage global cooperation to combat it," Villar said.

Under Villar’s version, providing training to any persons who carry out terrorist activities would be penalized by 15 to 20 years imprisonment, and a fine of P8 million.

It was reported that the two Malaysian terrorists involved in the bombings in Bali, Indonesia received training in bomb-making in Mindanao. Villar’s bill also imposes the penalty of life imprisonment to death for any person who commits acts of terrorism.

Final drafts of the bills crafted by their counterparts in the House committees on justice and foreign affairs are expected to be submitted for plenary debates next week.

If enacted into law, the anti-terror bill of the lower chamber will, among other penalties, impose life imprisonment on top of a P10-million fine to convicted terrorists. The death penalty will be meted to those found guilty of carrying out any attacks resulting in fatalities.

‘Anti-Opposition Bill’?

Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers from both chambers of Congress raised concerns over the anti-terror bill becoming a political tool against individuals or groups perceived to be anti-government.

"It should not be used to justify human rights abuses and to save a dying regime. While the dangers to our national security may be clear and present, it is not an excuse to encroach upon constitutionally protected rights," Sen. Jamby Madrigal said in a statement.

Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez noted how the anti-terror measure is being rushed "not just to address international terrorism but as a draconian measure against the opposition."

"If passed, it would allow a crackdown on senators and congressmen who expose anomalies for conducting investigations in aid of destabilization," Golez said.

Golez said he is "withdrawing" his sponsorship of one of the anti-terror bills in light of the "chilling statements" issued by two "rabid" allies of President Arroyo — House Majority Leader Prospero Nograles and Rep. Simeon Datumanong of Maguindanao.

He quoted Datumanong as saying if rallies result in "panic to the public," then this could "fall under the acts of terror."

As for Nograles, he was heard to say "only those who have bad intentions" or those who want to topple the government should be afraid of the bill.

Also yesterday, a Muslim opposition lawmaker warned that enacting the anti-terrorism bill into law will only "legitimize" the warrantless arrests being carried out by lawmen against Muslims and political dissenters whom, he said, are usually tagged as terrorists.

"Muslims and political dissenters will be among the top candidates who will be victimized by the bill if it will be passed," said Anak Mindanao party-list Rep. Mujiv Hataman, as he called on senators to oppose the bill’s passage.

A House opposition leader meanwhile warned of an "undeclared martial law" once the measure is passed into law.

"We are going to study closely the provisions of the anti-terrorism bill because it will lead to the annihilation of the legitimate opposition of this country," said House deputy minority leader Iloilo Rep. Rolex Suplico during yesterday’s Fernandina Forum in Greenhills, San Juan.

"We are still working on the premise that we have the right to form associations, the right to free expression, and the right to petition the government to redress our grievances. But the anti-terrorism bill could change all that."

More Effective Devices

In an effort to strengthen the capability of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to fight terrorism, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) yesterday approved two standards which will make anti-terror devices already being used in the country more effective.

Napolcom chairman Angelo Reyes said five separate resolutions for the modification and enhancement of anti-terror equipment have been issued.

The resolutions, Reyes explained, prescribe new standard specifications for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) warfare agent detection kits and devices for anti-terrorism.

Reyes said the commission en banc found the proposals of the PNP Uniform and Equipment Standardization Board (UESB) in order and in conformity with the requirements of Republic Act No. 6975, or the PNP Law, as amended by the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998.

He said the PNP UESB proposal for the standard specifications of the CBRN chemical agent and radiological detectors was based on the findings of the United States Interagency Board for Equipment Standardization and Interoperability (IABESI). — Delon Porcalla, Michael Punongbayan, Sandy Araneta