Palace presses Congress to pass anti-terror bill

Malacañang pressed Congress yesterday to pass the anti-terrorism bill and asked lawmakers to determine ways to protect human rights despite tougher laws to battle terrorists.

"Concerns that the law could be used to abuse human rights are unfounded and could be addressed properly by our legislators themselves as they fashion the final version of the law," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.

The Palace renewed the call for the legislature to pass the anti-terror bill as soon as possible in the wake of last Monday’s bombing attack in Jolo, Sulu that left several people dead and many others wounded.

Another explosion struck a Davao City-bound passenger bus in Digos City, Davao del Sur Wednesday morning, wounding at least 22 people.

"The proposed law will clothe our law enforcement agencies with authority to deal decisively with terrorists who have no respect for human life," Bunye said.

Earlier, President Arroyo issued the same call to the lawmakers, saying "terror never sleeps and we need to consistently carry out our comprehensive action plan to rid our country and the world of this grave threat."

"Once more, and with a deep sense of urgency, I ask Congress to pass the anti-terrorism law that will enable our nation to constrict, contain and control this threat more effectively," she said.

Those opposed to the anti-terror bill said law enforcers might trample on the human rights of people once they are given more power to go after suspected terrorists.

But Philippine National Police chief Director General Arturo Lomibao said it was time for Congress to finish debate on the anti-terror bill and pass it into law, given the incidents of terrorism. — Aurea Calica