Rappler's latest stories on terrorism in the Philippines
Beware of that two-faced clause in the anti-terror law
The ‘flawed’ new Anti-Terrorism Law should delete a clause to clearly exclude protest and dissent from punishable acts, says a top terrorism analyst
28 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed for first half of 2020 – AFP
29 Abu Sayyaf militants have surrendered during the same period
Female, 3 other suspected ISIS-linked terrorists killed in Parañaque police raid
(3rd UPDATE) Police reports say the suspects had links to Abu Sayyaf bomb expert Mundi Sawadjaan, who helped plot suicide bombings in Sulu in 2019
Soldier killed, 9 others wounded in 'fierce firefight' with Abu Sayyaf in Sulu
Bloodstains on the terror group's escape path indicate an 'undetermined number' of casualties among its members, says the military in Western Mindanao
Defending anti-terror bill, Esperon bares arrest of 8 Abu Sayyaf 'sleepers'
'We assure you that terrorism is not activism, and activism is not terrorism,' says National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr
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
Never again, vow Filipino journalists on Independence Day
At least 30 groups and close to a 100 journalists sign a joint statement to 'renew our pledge to serve the people, to continue speaking truth to power, and to guard and defend freedom of the press and of expression from all threats'
No to anti-terror bill? DILG employees ‘advised’ against posting on social media
‘We are encouraging everyone in the DILG to be responsible in posting their views and comments against the bill in their social media accounts’
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
DOJ defends terror bill's dissent exception, but leaves out 'killer' caveat
DOJ Spokesperson Markk Perete says Section 4's exception on dissent 'should calm concerns,' but he leaves out a 'killer' provision. It's the provision on intent.
As lawmakers change votes, Malacañang yet to receive anti-terror bill
Days after the highly divisive anti-terror bill hurdled Congress, the House still has not released the official breakdown of how lawmakers voted
Robredo: Why rush anti-terrorism bill during pandemic?
'Diyos ko naman. Nakakapanlumo,' says Vice President Leni Robredo
[EXPLAINER] Can government employees post criticism of the anti-terror bill?
Even those working in the private sector cannot be terminated, disciplined, or punished for posting something on Facebook or Twitter or showing up at rallies
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
[EXPLAINER] Proposed Anti-Terror Act of 2020 a devil’s playground in the hands of a despot
The bill suffers from obvious legal infirmities, essentially begging for a constitutional challenge
Business groups oppose 'highly divisive' anti-terror bill
During the coronavirus pandemic, what the country needs is 'national unity' and not a bill that 'poses clear and present danger to human rights,' 8 business groups say in a joint statement
‘Terror law’: The pet bill of the generals
‘You don’t deserve that kind of power. No one does,’ a farmers' party-list representative tells the military, referring to the proposed Anti-Terror Act of 2020, which is up for President Duterte's signature
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
Facebook cracks down on posts slamming anti-terror bill
(UPDATED) The #JunkTerrorBill posts by Filipinos are marked as spam after they allegedly failed to comply with Facebook’s community standards. Facebook says it has since restored incorrectly removed posts.
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
'Recovery, not repression': Groups hit passing of anti-terror bill
Various groups across key sectors say the approval of the bill reflects government's misplaced priorities
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
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
Marawi, 3 years on: 120,000 still displaced, now vulnerable to COVID-19
The 5-month battle in 2017 left Marawi City's central district in ruins. Three years on, it is still a rubble and remains off-limits to residents.
At least 3 Abu Sayyaf members killed as Sulu clashes continue
Eight soldiers of the Philippine Army's 45th Infantry Battalion are wounded in the battle in Barangay Latih in Patikul, Sulu
Soldiers killed in Sulu clash hailed as heroes
Friday’s encounter with the Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul, Sulu, was the deadliest battle the military has fought in a long while, says the Philippine Army
11 soldiers killed, 14 wounded in Sulu clash with Abu Sayyaf
(4th UPDATE) Bloodstains on the clash site in Patikul, Sulu, indicate an undetermined number of casualties among the Abu Sayyaf Group, says the military
Kidnapped doctor rescued from Abu Sayyaf in Sulu
Army troops rescue Daniel Moreno, who was abducted in Jolo, Sulu, on February 4
4 soldiers killed in Maguindanao clashes with pro-ISIS militants
Government troops recover the bodies of 5 militants, and are verifying reports of 9 other casualties from the terrorist Dawlah Islamiyah Torayfie Group
3 pro-ISIS militants killed in Maguindanao clashes – military
Separatist terror groups pose a challenge to the newly established regional government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which marks its first anniversary this month
‘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
[EDITORIAL] The real terror in our midst
While the terrorism threat is real, laws that empower dishonest, unprofessional policemen and give these petty gunslingers super powers are the bigger threats
Senate approves anti-terrorism bill on final reading
Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan vote against the measure and warn of its possible abuse
2 Abu Sayyaf members killed in Sulu clash with military
Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Taullah Abdurasa, also known as Amah Ollah, and a certain Baby Ollah are killed in the clash
After 2 and a half years, martial law ends in Mindanao
(UPDATED) Security officials say Mindanao is stable enough to carry on without martial law, even as they still battle terrorist groups and communist rebels in some areas
Families displaced by Maguindanao clashes cry for help
Traumatized by the sound of bombs and guns, at least 2,000 families caught in the battle between terrorists and the military are staying in makeshift booths in open spaces, a Moro community leader tells Rappler
