Investing.com - Financial Markets Worldwide
Get 40% Off
Get 40% Off
🤯 Perficient is up a mind-blowing 53%. Our ProPicks AI saw the buying opportunity in March.Read full update

Philippines defends anti-terror law before U.S. Congress

Published 07/18/2020, 01:48 PM
Updated 07/18/2020, 01:50 PM

MANILA, July 18 (Reuters) - The Philippines' foreign
ministry has told the U.S. Congress that political freedoms and
human rights will be respected as concerns linger over an
anti-terrorism law that takes effect on Saturday.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte early this month signed
a stricter anti-terrorism bill, condemned by critics and rights
groups as a weapon to target opponents and stifle free speech.
"The Philippines remains committed to the protection of
civil and political liberties as well as human rights," its
embassy in Washington said in a letter to 50 U.S.
representatives dated July 16 and made available to the media on
Saturday.
"The Anti-Terrorism Act itself strongly mandates that human
rights be absolute and protected at all times," it added.
Duterte has defended the law, saying law-abiding citizens
should not fear as it targets terrorists including communist
insurgents. The legislation creates a council appointed by the
president, which can designate individuals and groups as
terrorists and detain them without charge for up to 24 days. It
also allows for surveillance and wiretaps, and punishments that
include life imprisonment without parole.
Lawyers have questioned the law before the Supreme Court,
saying the legislation could be abused to target administration
opponents and suppress peaceful dissent. "What the law signifies is the Philippine government's
strong resolve to combat terrorism and to implement a more
effective and comprehensive approach to such a serious threat
that knows no borders," the embassy said, adding that the
previous anti-terror bill, signed in 2007, resulted in the
conviction of only one person.

Latest comments

Install Our App
Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.