De Lima seeks review of terror laws

A proposed measure filed by House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima seeks a comprehensive inquiry into the country’s counterterrorism and terrorism financing laws to determine whether they are being misused to suppress democratic dissent and lawful civic engagement.

De Lima filed House Resolution 786 to investigate the implementation of Republic Act 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, and HR 787 to review the enforcement of RA 10168, or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.

“Counterterrorism measures erode their core purpose if they are weaponized by the state to promote a climate of fear, harassment and intimidation among human rights defenders, activists, youth leaders, humanitarian workers and civil society organizations,” De Lima said.

“These laws should not be a license for coercion, red-tagging, imprisonment without basis, and the killing of Filipinos,” she added.

Through HR 786, the Bicolana lawmaker said the inquiry aims to ensure that the Anti-Terrorism Act fully complies with constitutional guarantees, including due process, freedom of speech, expression and association; peaceful assembly; and the right to privacy, as well as the country’s international human rights obligations.