News and Analysis, Philippines – Senate Passes Counter-Terrorism Legislation, 11 Feb 07

Philippines: The Senate passed an Anti-Terrorism Bill (#2137) on 7 Feb by a vote of 16-2. The amended bill addresses human rights concerns, such as reducing the time one can be detained without a warrant or being charged from 15 to 3 days, and providing for compensation in the event of wrongful arrest. These issues and others had held the bill up in debate since 2005. The bill must still be reconciled with the House of Representatives version but from all accounts it looks as if the major stumbling blocks have been overcome. The Senate and House will meet in a bicameral committee conference in June to work out remaining differences. It will then go to President Macapagal-Arroyo for signature. The bill defines terrorism and outlines penalties for convictions of terrorist acts, and is inclusive of facilitating, financing, supporting, committing conspiracy, cyberattack, training, and membership in internationally designated terrorist groups. (Comment - Under current law, terrorism itself is not a crime and terrorist acts must be prosecuted under the common criminal code. This bill will codify acts of terrorism and allow the government to fully prosecute those convicted of now fully defined acts of terrorism. This is an important step as it provides legislative teeth to government, police, and military actions directed against terrorists and terrorist organizations, something that has been sorely needed in the Philippines.) [slr]

To view the base Anti-Terrorism Bill #2137: http://asiasecurity.org/file_download/21