Last updated on May 6th, 2021 at 10:23 am
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has made it clear that communist are considered terrorists under the new anti-terror law, while assuring law-abiding citizens not to fear the controversial measure.
According to Duterte, Communist like to be treated with another set of law when in fact they are terrorist. He also said that he’s trying to figure out how to connect with them but they can’t arrived at a peaceful resolution.
In 2017, Duterte reached out to the communist party but eventually walked away from the peace talks as both sides accused each other on violating the ceasefire agreement.
Duterte assured the rest of the citizens not be afraid of the new act as long as they abide with the law and refrain from doing terrorist acts.
The president reiterated that the new law is a deterrent against terrorism. Among it’s controversial features is allowing suspected criminals to be arrested with out a warrant and may be detained up to 24 days.
The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 penalizes those who threaten, plan, conspire, incite to commit terror acts, allows longer detention and surveillance of terrorist suspects. The government’s petition to tag the Communist Party of the Philippines and it’s armed wing the New People’s Army is pending before a local court.
