Law enforcers hesitant to use new anti-terror law: security official

MANILA (AP) - Law enforcement officers have hesitated to use new anti-terrorism measures because of the threat of prosecution against them and the law should be amended, a top security official said Sunday.

National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzalez said the Human Security Act, which went into force in July, has rarely been used because of the harsh punishment it contains for mistakes and abuses committed by authorities.

Law enforcement officers found guilty of rights violations face up to 12 years in jail under the landmark legislation. The law also compensates any person with P500,000 (S$11,360) in damages for each day of wrongful detention or assets seizure.