A MILITARY official on Sunday, July 14, cited the importance of an amended Human Security Act to strengthen the country’s anti-terrorism campaign.
The Human Security Act of 2007 mandates the protection of life, liberty and property from acts of terrorism.
Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo was referring in particular to Section 20 of the said law which mandates law enforcers to file charges against a suspected terrorist within three days of detention.
“Dahil hindi mo napaamin sa loob ng tatlong araw, para hindi ka ma-charge ng arbitrary detention, papakawalan mo pero magmumulta ka—P500,000 per day of captivity ng tao,” he said.
(If you can’t draw out a confession within three days, you would have to release the suspect so you won’t be charged for arbitrary detention. However, you would have to pay a fine of P500,000 per day for every day that you held that person in captivity.)
Arevalo said getting information from a suspected terrorist is not easy.
“Hindi mo kayang palambutin ng ilang araw (You cannot break them in just a few days),” he said.
Aside from the amendment to the Human Security Act, PNP chief Oscar Albayalde also said earlier that the enforcement of the national ID system is necessary for the anti-terrorism campaign of the government.
He also said the law enforcers need a boost on their surveillance operations. (SunStar Philippines)