The Anti-terror bill may worsen gov’t abuse - Bayan Muna Chair Colmenares

Bayan Muna chair Neri Colmenares is the leading voice in opposing the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act following the passage of the said bill in its third reading.

Colmenares claims that the approved House Bill No. 6875 scrapped the safeguards which will only “worsen government’s abuse.”

Section 4 of HB 6875 states that “Terrorist acts as defined under this section shall not cover legitimate exercises of the freedom of expression and to peaceably assemble, including but not limited to engaging in advocacy, protest, dissent or mass action where a person does not have the intention to use or urge the use of force or violence or cause harm to others.”

Bayan Muna chair Neri Colmenares
(photo credit to owner)

The Bayan Muna chair reasons out that the fact that the supposed provision was included, is tantamount to an admission that terrorist acts as defined by the HB 6875 may indeed “cover legitimate exercise of freedom of expression” and to “peaceably assemble.”

“The so-called safeguards, however, are practically disabled because of the qualification that in order to be excepted from terrorism, such ‘legitimate exercise of the freedom of expression’ must not have the INTENTION to cause harm to others,” said Colmenares.

The Lower House adoption of the Senate version of the measures does away of the P500,000 fine on the police and the government for abusing their power and falsely arresting critics and the opposition using the proposed legislations, according to Colmenares.

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Report from Politiko

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