Nothing to fear if you’re not a terrorist: Duterte

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Presidential Guest House in Panacan, Davao City on July 7, 2020. ARMAN BAYLON/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – Law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear about the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 or Republic Act 11479 because it will only be used to defend the nation from terrorism, President Rodrigo Duterte said.

In a taped public address aired early Wednesday, Duterte said the law targets terrorists, especially those who carry out bomb attacks in public.

“For the law-abiding citizen(s) of this country, I am addressing you with all sincerity: Huwag ho kayong matakot kung hindi ka terorista. Kung hindi ka naman sisirain mo ang gobyerno, pasabugin mo ang simbahan, pasabugin mo iyong public utilities. Well, just to derail para matumba na tuloy ang bayan (Don’t be afraid if you’re not a terrorist, if you don’t destroy the government, blow up churches or public utilities just to see the nation fall),” he said.

The President recalled several bombings in the southern island of Mindanao where most terrorism activities occur.

“As what happened in Mindanao and in other places, mostly in Mindanao, ang ginagamit kasi nito nila, bomba. And ang bomba niyan lahat nasa simbahan may tama o may bukol (they use bombs. They would usually damage or destroy churches),” he said.

Duterte said terrorists who murder people give the government a pass to kill them.

“’If you do that to the people, if you kill them wantonly, then I will take it as a right to kill you. Ano ba naman iyong problema ninyong (What is your problem that you) kill, kill, kill?” he said.

According to Duterte, he spent most of his days as President trying to “connect” with terrorists so they could arrive at a peaceful solution but none of his plans worked.

“They are terrorists because we — I finally declared them to be one. Why? Because we — I spent most of my days as a President trying to figure out and connect with them on how we can arrive at a peaceful solution,” he said.

Duterte acknowledged that while there is always a time to be friendly, there is also a time to be firm.

“I did my very best to produce something for the country. But unfortunately, I would not be blaming anybody now unless they would start to blame me again so that I can also blame them.

 Eh wala talagang nangyari (But nothing happened),” he said.

Duterte also said he expected the law to be challenged before the Supreme Court but noted that it is a “much needed legal weapon” to fight terrorism in the country.

“Itong komunista (These communists), whatever be the fortune or misfortune of that law now, I’m sure it will be challenged before the Supreme Court. Sana iyong mga (I hope for) the much-needed legal weapons that we need to fight terrorism,” he said.

Duterte signed the law on July 3 to repeal the Human Security Act of 2007.

Under the law, suspected terrorists can be detained up to 24 days without the filing of any charges.

The law stated that acts intended to cause death or serious injury to any person, extensive damage to a government facility, and extensive interference with destruction to critical infrastructure are likewise considered as terror acts.

It also states that individuals who either use weapons, explosives, and chemical weapons or release dangerous substances causing fire, floods, or explosions are considered terrorists.

Several petitions have been filed against the anti-terrorism law before the high court.