Iloilo Third District Representative Lorenz “Nonoy” Defensor voted against the controversial Anti-Terrorism Bill.
In his interview over radio station Bombo Radyo-Iloilo, Defensor said there are provisions in the bill that he considered “unconstitutional.”
In particular, Defensor cited Section 20 of the bill that allows any law enforcement agency to carry out warrantless arrests and detain suspected terrorists for 14 days.
“Nagapati ako nga ang layi nga ipasar sang Kongreso labi na gid kon ang mga karapatan sang mga pumuluyo ang imbolbar dapat masanto gid sa constitution,” Defensor said.
“Ang pag-aresto sa tawo dapat may warrant of arrests gid nga gin-issue sang husgado,” he stressed.
Yesterday, June 3, the House of Representatives passed the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 by a vote of 173-31, with 29 abstentions.
The bill, which was certified as urgent by the President Rodrigo Duterte, repeals the Human Security Act of 2007 by giving more surveillance powers to the government forces.
Among the principal authors are First District Representative Raul Tupas, Second District Representative Michael Gorriceta, and Iloilo City Representative Julienne Baronda.
Baronda and Gorriceta withdrew their co-authorhip of the bill but voted in favor of the measure.IMT
