PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed a law prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons.
Republic Act (RA) 12174, inked by Marcos on April 15, 2025, prohibits the development and use of chemical weapons; financing their production and use; and transferring (domestically or by cross-border movement, directly or indirectly), precursors and scheduled chemicals without the necessary license or permit.
RA 12174 designates the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) as the Philippine national authority on the Chemical Weapons Convention.
The ATC will serve as the national focal point for effective liaison with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and other State Parties.
The law was signed to fulfill the country’s commitments under the Chemical Weapons Convention that prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons and their destruction.
RA 12174 prohibits the country from engaging in any military preparation with the use of a chemical weapon; assisting or inducing a person to engage in similar activity; using a riot control agent as a method of warfare; and exporting or importing Schedule 1 chemicals to or from a state not a party to the Convention.
RA 12174 defines chemical weapons as one or a combination of toxic chemicals and their precursors; munitions and devices designed to cause death or harm; and any equipment specifically designed to be used directly for the employment of munitions and devices.
Under the new law, the ATC is mandated to ensure proper representation of the country’s policy on the non-proliferation of chemical weapons, in coordination with the Philippine Permanent Representative to the OPCW.
Anti-Terrorism Council
The ATC is also directed to develop rules and regulations and formulate policies concerning the production, processing, consumption, importation, exportation, in-country transfer, use, and proper disposal of scheduled chemicals and facilities, and production facilities of other chemicals not included in the scheduled chemicals of the Convention’s Annex on Chemicals.
The ATC is also tasked to create committees, sub-committees, and advisory boards, as well as designate local inspectors; and specify their required qualifications, trainings, and functions.
Under the new law, it will be the ATC who will cause or direct the investigation of violations of laws concerning chemical weapons, as well as support capacity-building initiatives and information campaigns on chemical safety and security.
The law imposes penalties for violators, including a fine of up to five million pesos and imprisonment of up to 20 years.
Chemical weapons found anywhere in the Philippine territory or jurisdiction will be forfeited in favor of the national government through the ATC.
The immediate disposal of seized chemical weapons will be given utmost priority, according to RA 12174.
The new law, which was made public on Friday, takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. / PNA