Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday said the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act would be completed by October 14.
Guevarra expressed confidence they would be able to complete the IRR, which is now “in its final stages” before the deadline ends next week.
Guevarra said the IRR would be published after the Anti-Terrorism Council’s (ATC) meeting on October 14.
The Justice Secretary gave assurances the draft IRR for now had no provision on social media regulation.
However, he declined to discuss the highlights of the ATA’s implementing rules and regulations.
Armed Forces chief General Gilbert Gapay earlier suggested to include social media regulation in the IRR of the anti-terrorism law, claiming that terrorists had been using social media to “radicalize” the youth.
The anti-terrorism law mandates the ATC and the Department of Justice, “with the active participation of police and military institutions,” to promulgate its IRR within 90 days after it takes effect.
Though the law took effect last July, Guevarra said at the time that it was prudent to wait for the IRR before enforcing it.
While Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana agreed, he said the law would be applied in the event of a terrorist act.
Critics of the controversial anti-terrorism law challenged its constitutionality before the Supreme Court where more than 30 petitions have been filed since it became effective three months ago.
Petitioners assailed RA 11479 not only for being unconstitutional, but also because it would violate basic human rights and legitimize attacks against opposition forces and critics of the Duterte administration.