Rappler's latest stories on Human Security Act
House of terror: How the lower chamber let slip a 'killer' bill
The House of Representatives passes a controversial bill that could endanger the progressives, Moros, and Lumad among them due to terrorist-tagging

Lawmakers' changing of anti-terror bill vote has 'no more bearing' – Villafuerte
Villafuerte – among the closest allies of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano in the House – slams his colleagues for changing their votes

Some House members' votes on anti-terror bill incorrectly recorded
Most of the House members voted on the anti-terrorism bill through Zoom or a Viber group chat, methods that are prone to errors when there are a total of 302 lawmakers

Robredo: Why rush anti-terrorism bill during pandemic?
'Diyos ko naman. Nakakapanlumo,' says Vice President Leni Robredo

Bangsamoro lawyers, law students reject anti-terror bill
'We support a just, humane law that will combat terrorism, and aid in our efforts toward a more harmonious and peaceful society. We regret that this is not the anti-terror bill,' say the lawyers, including Bangsamoro government Attorney General Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba

DOJ starts review of constitutionality of anti-terror bill
'You appear to be a decent and honorable man, unlike many. Your principal will not be there forever, but your reputation and integrity will outlive you,' human rights lawyer Edre Olalia pleads to fellow Atenean lawyer Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra
Lagman urges Cayetano not to transmit anti-terror bill to Duterte yet
(UPDATED) 'It would afford both the House of Representatives and the Senate to make their own respective reviews of the measure to cleanse it of constitutional infirmities,' says opposition lawmaker Edcel Lagman
Close to home: Daughter of slain activist warns anti-terror bill will 'normalize' killings
'Once you're labeled a terrorist, the authorities can justify whatever they may do to you,' says Tsinkay Porquia

Youth-led protesters slam Bacolod lawmaker for anti-terror vote
The youth protesters are allegedly threatened by police for mobilizing

Cayetano justifies anti-terror bill: ‘Let us read before we criticize’
'Basahin natin before we criticize, because ang daling sabihin eh [na may] repression, wala ng democracy, draconian,' says House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano

Ateneo priests, La Salle brothers join forces vs anti-terror bill
'Instead of being a measure to protect our people, in the wrong hands, this bill can be used to oppress our people,' warned the Jesuit priests and the La Salle brothers

EXPLAINER: Comparing dangers in old law and anti-terror bill
The 2020 anti-terror bill 'penalizes' freedom of speech, which makes it open to a challenge just on its face, according to retired justice Antonio Carpio
U.N. report raises concern over 'problematic' PH anti-terror bill
The United Nations Human Rights Office warns that the Philippines' anti-terrorism bill 'dilutes human rights safeguards' and is 'even more problematic' than the current Human Security Act

Military ‘pleased’ with Congress passage of anti-terror bill
The bill does not seem to add any new power to the armed forces, says military spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo

Where the Philippines goes, America follows
We have thousands of George Floyds. But they’re abused not because of the color of their skin as much as because of where and how they live.

Once a primary author, Biazon withdraws support, votes no to anti-terror bill
His reason? The House leadership did not allow any lawmaker to propose amendments to the bill that is an exact replica of what senators had passed

Mindanao lawmakers: Anti-terror bill will further incite violence, not end terrorism
'This law is not meant to combat terrorism. It is meant to give the state the power to tag whomever they please as a terrorist. Hindi pa ba tayo natuto?' says House Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman of Basilan

'Draconian' anti-terror bill, feared to be used vs gov't critics, hurdles Congress
(3rd UPDATE) The bill would allow the proposed Anti-Terror Council, which would be composed of top Cabinet officials, to order the arrest of people it deems to be terrorists

Robredo: Is lethal anti-terror bill against terrorists or critics?
'Ang tanong ko nga: terorismo ba talaga ang tuon ng [anti-] terror bill? O gusto lang nitong bigyan ng kapangyarihan ang estado para bansagang terorista kung sino man ang kanilang gusto?'

Catholic, Protestant leaders condemn anti-terror bill
Christian leaders warn that silence about the Philippines' proposed anti-terror law 'only assures the impending destruction and abuse of our people'

Anti-terror bill one step away from House final approval
Lawmakers are bent on ratifying the bill into law before Congress adjourns on Friday, June 5.

#JunkTerrorBill: Sign this petition to help uphold human rights
Defend UPLB warns that the bill has the potential to silence critics of the government. Take a stand and sign the petition to persuade Congress to drop the measure.

Duterte certifies as urgent anti-terrorism bill feared to clamp down on basic rights
Security officials want the controversial law passed before Congress adjourns on June 5

Groups mourn murder of urban poor leader
Kabataan party worries that many would face the same fate as Kadamay leader Carlito Badion if the anti-terror bill is passed

Fears of losing freedoms escalate as Congress rushes to pass anti-terror bill
The bill would empower a council of top cabinet officials to do functions usually reserved for the courts, like ordering the warrantless arrest and detention of people and groups perceived to be terrorists
House joint committee adopts Senate version of toughened anti-terrorism bill
(UPDATED) The move fast-tracks the passage of a proposed law that broadens the definition of terrorism and heightens punishment of convicted terrorists, but which the opposition sees as a clampdown on dissent

‘Dissent is duty, not crime’: Filipinos slam anti-terrorism bill
#JunkTerrorBill tops Twitter trends as Filipinos online criticize the dangerous provisions of the anti-terror bill

‘Hard sell?’ Military boasts rosy poll results as it faces criticism over new anti-terror bill
An SWS poll shows high public satisfaction with the AFP, just as Congress decides on a law that gives the military broader powers in pursuing terror suspects

‘Unconstitutional’ anti-terrorism bill targets dissenters, not terrorists – Colmenares
'Hindi talaga para ito sa mga Abu Sayyaf or terrorista o sino pa mang tinatawag na terorista… Kailangan ito para doon sa dissenters, sa oposisyon,' says NUPL chair Neri Colmenares

Senate approves anti-terrorism bill on final reading
Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan vote against the measure and warn of its possible abuse

Lorenzana not inclined to recommend Mindanao martial law extension
The defense chief says he is waiting for the military and police to give their input, and President Duterte will still have the final say on the matter

Esperon says no need to extend martial law if Human Security Act is amended
Security officials are also considering the opinion of local government units in assessing whether another extension of martial law in Mindanao is needed

Military pushes proposal to amend 'weak' anti-terrorism law
The Armed Forces of the Philippines calls for more drastic powers against terror suspects as Congress moves forward with amending the Human Security Act of 2007

‘Security before human rights’: Lorenzana wants tougher law vs terrorism
The defense chief wants longer warrantless detention for terror suspects to give security agencies more time to build cases against them

Martial law 'needed' because anti-terror law outdated – Año
'Walang gumagamit ng Human Security Act,' says Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año

Anti-terrorism law weak, Senate wants longer surveillance, detention of suspects
Proposed amendments to the Human Security Act include increasing surveillance to at least 90 days and detention to at least 30 days for 'suspected terrorists'

DOJ didn’t verify before seeking terrorist tag for 649 people
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra says: 'The DOJ itself did not have any personal verification of any connection by these individuals with the CPP or the NPA'

State surveillance: A necessary evil?
Proponents of state surveillance argue that monitoring individuals is necessary in the interest of 'national security'. But who defines what 'national security' is? To what extent is state surveillance legal?

DOJ formally seeks court declaration of CPP-NPA as terrorists
The DOJ says the CPP-NPA was 'merely buying time' when it entered in peace talks with the government

PH a haven for terrorists? AFP, PNP point to 'so much democratic space'
AFP chief Eduardo Año and PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa both say the Philippines must strengthen security and anti-terrorism legislation
