Manila (AsiaNews) - The Philippine government, already under fire for a poor human rights record, is coming in for more criticism as it implements a new anti-terror law that many fear could be used against political opponents. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) days ago called on the government to revise a new anti-terrorism law which will enter into force on 15 July, saying the unlimited powers it confers upon the army “could become a cause of gross injustice.”
But human rights groups have condemned it, and the Catholic church called for a review of provisions that could invade privacy, including allowing court-authorised wiretapping of suspects.
Hundreds of left-wing activists urged the law's repeal at a protest, vowing to question its legality in the Supreme Court.
According to Section 3 of the text, “terrorist activities” are all those actions “causing widespread and extraordinary fear and panic” and they may be punished by “up to 40 years in prison”. Further, Section 19 allows the “allows arbitrary detention of a suspect for more than three days, house arrest even if not upheld by a judge and a ban on all kinds of movement”.
