Politics, World, Asia - Pacific

Philippine president approves new anti-terror law

Presidency says law 'to give the country more teeth to curb terror threats and acts'

Riyaz ul Khaliq  | 03.07.2020 - Update : 03.07.2020
Philippine president approves new anti-terror law

ANKARA 

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday approved an anti-terrorism bill, state media reported.

According to Philippine News Agency, the country’s presidential palace said in a statement Duterte signed the law – Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 – in “a measure that seeks to give the country more teeth to curb terror threats and acts.”

Duterte, who had previously expressed urgency in passing the bill, had until July 9 -- 30 days since June 9 when Senate sent it to presidential palace for approval -- to approve or veto the bill under the country's constitution.

Rights groups and some lawmakers have raised concerns that the bill -- amending the 2007 Human Security Act (HAS) -- could increase human rights abuses in the country.

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