Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez defends anti-terror bill

Leyte 4th District Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez said Wednesday that the fear of abuse is not a “valid reason” to reject the opposed Anti-Terror bill, which now awaits the President’s signature.

Torres-Gomez said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel’s (ANC) Headstart that, in theory, all laws could be abused. She, however, said that there are safeguards to prevent such abuse under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

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“The fear that a bill can be abused, or the law can be abused is not unfounded. We have seen how laws have been abused in the years, not just under the reign of President [Rodrigo] Duterte but even the reigns of other presidents,” Lucy Torres-Gomez said.

“But fear of abuse is not a valid reason to reject a bill outright. It is not a valid reason to reject needed legislation like the anti-terrorism bill because theoretically speaking, all laws can be abused, even social welfare laws that are very benign and charitable can be abused,” the lawmaker added.

Also read: Local officials voluntarily support Anti-Terror Bill- DILG

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The lawmaker also said that the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 was preventive compared to the existing Human Security Act of 2007, which is reactive.

“In the Human Security Act, it was a dead letter law. We did not have a measure to prevent terrorism. It was all innocent until proven guilty. By that time, it does not apply to a crime like terrorism because if we use that argument, wala na, na-detonate na kung bomb,” Torres-Gomez said.

“Terrorism is the highest crime against humanity. I don’t think it is right to let go or to not pursue a tip or to not go after a suspect if he is suspected of the crime of terrorism because we have to weigh which risk weighs heavier on people, the risk of wrongful arrest or the risk of a terror attack actually happening,” she added.

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“Not that I prefer. I’m just saying that if wrongful arrest just happens, that person has legal recourse, but when a terror attack has been carried out, the damage is irreversible,” the congresswoman said when asked if she prefers wrongful arrest.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said President Rodrigo Duterte is getting inclined to sign the Anti-Terror Bill.