Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez supports the Anti-terror bill to 'marginalize extremists'

 

Photo courtesy of Facebook 

Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez aired support to the controversial anti-terror bill being tackled in the social media for the past weeks.

The said bill is still pending for approval and signature of President Rodrigo Duterte after it passed the Senate and House deliberation.

In an article by Philippine News Agency, Gomez said the local government of Ormoc City and its people support the endorsement into law of the Anti-Terrorism Bill to boost economic growth and discourage extremism in the country. 

“At a time when there is a pressing need to restart the economy, we ought to project before the international investment community and tourism sector a much-enhanced peace and order environment in the Philippines, which only marginalizes extremist elements in our society, both from within and without,” the Ormoc Mayor said in a brief statement posted on the city government’s Facebook page on Thursday.

The former matinee idol added that the proposed measure has enough protection to preserve the people’s democratic space and is comparable, if not better, to similar laws of other member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“As the city mayor, I believe we need this law. If not now, then when?” Mayor Gomez said.

“when?” he added.

On the same note, Leyte 4th District Representative and wife of Ormoc City Mayor, Lucy Torres-Gomez also showed support to the said bill.

According to Rep. Gomez, it is about time to review and ratify the old bill and nullify if necessary, “It would be wise to review the Human Security Act of 2007 to understand its significant shortcomings, such that a new law to repeal it was deemed necessary."

“The most glaring is that the HSA is not equipped to help us PREVENT a terrorist act from being undertaken.” Cong. Gomez said.

“Most cases involving terrorists were tried using the Revised Penal Code, a law that is predisposed to penalize acts already committed.”

“Hence, we have no legal arsenal to stop terrorist plotters before they inflict widespread death and destruction. “ she said

“Furthermore, the HSA has no provision intended for foreign terrorists.”

“Most cases involving terrorists were tried using the Revised Penal Code, a law that is predisposed to penalizing acts already committed.” she added

“Hence, we have no legal arsenal to stop terrorist plotters before they inflict widespread death and destruction."

“Furthermore, the HSA has no provision intended for foreign terrorists.” The former commercial model said.

On Tuesday, Malacañang already received a copy of the anti-terrorism bill that is now up for President Rodrigo Duterte's signature.

Under the bill, persons who voluntarily and knowingly join any organization, association, or group of persons knowing that such is a terrorist organization, will suffer imprisonment of 12 years.

Suspected persons can be detained for 14 days without a warrant of arrest with an allowable 10-day extension.

A 60-day surveillance on suspected terrorists can also be launched by the police or the military, with an allowable 30-day extension.