By Jennifer P. Rendon
The provincial government and 10 local government units (LGUs) of Antique province signed a manifesto of support for the controversial anti-terrorism bill.
Local government officials signed what appeared to be a pro forma “Manifesto ng Pagsuporta sa Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020).
The signatories were members of the different peace and order councils of Antique province and the towns of San Remigio, Barbaza, Sibalom, Anini-y, Tibiao, San Jose de Buenavista, Sebaste, Laua-an, Culasi, Belison, Hamtic, Bugasong, Tobias Fornier, Pandan, Patnongon, Libertad, Caluya, and Valderrama.
The manifesto, which was written in Filipino, reads that the local government supports the anti-terrorism bill to respond and suppressed violence brought by terrorism.
“Ito ay nagdudulot ng malaking problema na kung saan ang karapatang indibidual ay naisasawalang bahala at naisasakripisyo sa kadahilanang ang mananaig ay ang ipinaglalaban at pansariling kapakanan ng mga terorista.”
The signatories believed that the bill is aimed that every Filipino will finally achieve the peace it longed for. It added that the people knew well that the threat of terrorism has greatly affected the growth of the economy, particularly on the tourism sector.
“Kung ninanais natin ang isang bansang maunlad, ito na ang panahon upang magkaroon ng mabisang panangga sa kriminalidad, terorismo, at korapsyon.”
“Marami na ang naging karanasan na naging bahagi na nang ating kasaysayan na kung saan ay kumitil at sumira ng maraming buhay lalong higit ng mga kababaihan at kabataan.”
The officials also urged the people to embrace and support the controversial bill, claiming it will be for the good of the Filipino people and for the next generation.
The bill, which awaits the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte, is the subject of opposition by some quarters over certain provisions such as the lengthened period of warrantless detention and expanded surveillance by law enforcement on persons considered as suspicious.
It will also eliminate stiff penalties for wrongful detention.
Meanwhile, Captain Cenon Pancito III, Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson, said that there are other towns in the region that also signed the same manifesto of support.
When asked if it was initiated by law enforcement or other government agencies, he said that these were resolutions of peace and order councils, which are composed of LGUs, uniformed services, and other stakeholders identified by the municipality or province.
“We are happy that the LGUs expressed their support. We in the Army and other law enforcement service firmly believes that the ATB can help us in the performance of our duties of maintaining peace in the whole 3ID AOR (area of responsibility). Anything that will be accorded to help us do our job will be much appreciated,” he said.
In the context of alleged terrorism committed by the New People’s Army, Pancito was asked for the level of terror in Antique.
“Per records wala na po influenced area sa Antique except for Sibalom and San Regimio where remnants are still monitored,” he said
Pancito said different Army units are still gathering relative data if same areas are still considered as “threatened.”
