‘Anti-terror bill boost for NPA’

Posted to the Visayan Daily Star (Jun 6, 2020): ‘Anti-terror bill boost for NPA’

The anti-terrorism bill will contribute to the growth of the New People’s Army in Negros, rebel spokesman Ka Juanito Magbanua said yesterday.

The continuing threats against democratic forces, youth, intellectuals and ordinary masses, will force them to join the NPA, Magbanua, who is the spokesperson of the NPA Apolinario Gatmaitan Command, said in a press statement.

The anti-terrorism bill, that was approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading, met strong opposition from several groups, including some Church leaders.

The claims from the military that the anti-terrorism bill should not be feared is not true, said Magbanua, who pointed out that there is no single provision in the proposed law that favors the interest of the people.

He said he also anticipates widespread human rights violations, Red-tagging, illegal arrests, and death threats against activists and government critics because of the proposed anti-terrorism law.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government maintained that the proposed anti-terrorism bill is not anti-human rights and, in fact, seeks to protect the rights of innocent people from terrorists.

Contrary to the claims of critics, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement that the Anti-Terrorism Bill seeks to finally stamp out terrorism in the country.

“The people have nothing to fear from this bill; it is only the terrorists and their supporters who should fear it," Año said in a statement.
He added that the bill is a bold and timely upgrade in government arsenal against all forms of terrorism, whether from communist-terrorists or violent extremists, that have been plaguing the country for so many years.

https://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/June/06/topstory9.htm