Anti-terror legislation protest on Independence Day

Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Philippines state university Friday to mark Independence Day with a rally to denounce recently passed anti-terrorism legislation that they believe will violate all forms of dissent against the government. The protesters tried to observe social distancing regulations as mass gatherings are still banned, and only ten people are allowed to get together publicly in Manila, which is still under general community quarantine. The House of Representatives passed the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 on June 3rd after President Rodrigo Duterte urgently endorsed the legislation, despite fears it could threaten human rights and be used against his political opponents.

The Senate passed its version in February.

Once signed into law by Duterte, the legislation will replace a 2007 anti-terror law called the Human Security Act, which was rarely used largely because law enforcers can be fined 500,000 pesos (9,800 US dollars) for each day they wrongfully detain a terrorism suspect.

Lawmakers removed such safeguards in the new legislation, which increases the number of days that suspects can be detained without warrants from three to 24 days

Government officials played down fears about the new legislation, saying it contains adequate penalties for abuse and won't be used against government opponents.