The chair of the House of Representatives committee on human rights on Friday expressed concerns over the possible “misapplication” of Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 202.
At the same time, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. urged the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to look into the designation of Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. and 12 others as “terrorists” to ensure that the anti-terror law is properly applied and utilized effectively to prevent terrorism.
“While we in Congress support all government efforts to address terrorism and to prevent acts of terror, it is our responsibility to ensure that the laws we pass, including RA 11479, are used properly and for the purposes for which they were intended,” said Abante.
The legislator stressed: “We want justice for the late Gov. Roel Degamo and the innocent civilians slain when he was brutally and brazenly assassinated––and I believe Rep. Teves should come home and answer allegations that he masterminded this heinous crime.”
“But as House HR Chair, my concern in this case is the application of RA 11479. The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 is meant to be a powerful tool in safeguarding our nation from threats posed by terrorists, but given its provisions, it must be enforced judiciously and with proper regard for the rights and freedoms of our citizens,” explained the lawmaker.
Abante, who voted against the measure in 2020, pointed out that “during deliberations of RA 11479, a number of legislators, myself included, were concerned about the law’s provisions.”
“The designation of Rep. Teves and his co-accused as terrorists is a test case that the Joint Oversight Committee should look into to ensure that it does not set a precedent that could lead to abuses in the future.”
Section 50 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 mandates the establishment of a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee, which in
the exercise of its oversight functions has the authority “to summon law enforcement or military officers and the members of the ATC to
appear before it, and require them to answer questions and submit written reports of the acts they have done in the implementation of
this Act and render an annual report to both Houses of Congress as to its status and implementation.”
The Joint Congressional Oversight Committee is composed of 12 members with the chairpersons of the Committee on Public Order of the Senate
and the House of Representatives as members and five additional members from each House to be designated by the Senate President and
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively.
According to the same provision, the minority is entitled to pro-rata representation but shall have at least two representatives in the said
oversight committee.