(PART ONE OF THE MESSAGE)
Hello! I need your help.
I live in the Philippines and President Rodrigo Duterte just approved of the Anti-Terror Bill, or RA [Republic Act] 11479.
* IMPORTANT NOTE: Since it has already been signed, it is no longer a bill. It is already a Republic Act, called the RA 11479. However, for the sake of consistency, I will call it the Anti-Terror Bill.
** For a list of links to educational Twitter threads/posts, check my other announcements.
*** This information is copy pasted from a set of circulating infographics. I will link them down below.
1. WHAT IS THE ANTI-TERROR BILL ALL ABOUT?
The Anti-Terror Bill was passed by the Senate to "prevent and stop" terrorist attacks in the Philippines by directly targeting individuals who are profiled to most likely join considered terrorist groups or do such acts.
Yesterday at 6:00 p.m. PST, news anchors reported that President Duterte have already signed the bill.
It will take full effect in 15 (now 14) days after its publication, so it is already a law, HOWEVER, it is NOT immediately effective. This is why Filipinos need help. We still have time to protest.
2. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE BILL?
If this is granted to be an act, the state and its forces will have the absolute power in defining terrorism, who are to be considered terrorists, and what to do with them. This assumes that the state is the most rational in the society, therefore, any suspicions by state institutions such as the Philippine National Police (PNP) is enough basis for being considered as terrorists.
In simple words, the Anti-Terror Bill gives the term "terrorist" a very broad and vague meaning. You can be doing the most simple things, YET, YOU CAN BE LABELED A TERRORIST.