Senator Risa Hontiveros said Thursday she has no regrets in opposing Anti-Terror Law despite the recent twin blasts that killed 15 people in Jolo, Sulu, on Monday.
“No regrets, and my position on that has been clear. While we should, we should bear down heavily against terrorists,” Hontiveros said in an interview on ANC.
The senator remained firm that some provisions of the anti-terror bill are “overreaching and could be used by the government even against a non-terrorist.”
Hontiveros noted that the now-repealed Human Security Act has allowed the military to conduct intelligence operations in the two suspected suicide bombers who carried out the attacks in Jolo.
The senator also said she does not support the proposed declaration of martial law in Sulu as she believes in the current capacity of the military.
“Just the case buildup of the Philippine Army against those two suspected suicide bombers whom they already closing in on June 29 was one very recent solid example that the AFP is strong enough and capable enough to pursue terrorists… Kayang-kaya sanang sugpuin kung di sila pinatay noon sa hindi pa natin alam na dahilan,” she said.
Hontiveros: No regrets in opposing Anti-Terror law
“I-exhaust muna natin ang kapangyarihan na meron na at mayroon pa ang gobyerno to address these terrible twin bombings,” she added.
Hontiveros said Wednesday the entire PNP force in Jolo, Sulu, should be relieved after some of its members killed four soldiers in June and the recent bombings.
“Unless there is sufficient evidence establishing criminal involvement or administrative lapses leading to the attack, the PNP maintains full confidence in our ground personnel,” Police Gen. Archie Gamboa, PNP chief, said in a statement.
“Hinihingi ko po sa pamunuan ng PNP: relieve the entire Jolo police force. Para matanggal ang agam-agam na may infiltration ng terrorista, para mapanatag ang loob ng mga Pilipino, para bigyan ng free hand ang imbestigasyon, the entire Jolo police force must be relieved,” Hontiveros said in a privilege speech.
However, Philippine National Police chief Archie Gamboa said there is no enough evidence and basis to relieve the entire Jolo PNP following the two explosions in Jolo.