MANILA, Philippines – Members of the Muslim communities tagged and charged as members of the terrorist groups Abu Sayyaf and Maute together with human rights lawyers and advocates have joined the call for the Supreme Court to nullify key provisions of Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. While the case is pending, petitioners urged the high court to issue a restraining order against its implementation. With the enactment of the Anti-Terrorism Act, constitutional guarantees are materially and substantially invaded,” the petitioners pointed out. Petitioners believed that tagging persons as terrorists based solely on their religion could intensify because of the new law. The Abu Sayyaf commander turned government witness himself said that only 12 of the 94 participated in the kidnapping while the rest were innocent.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer August 18, 2020 12:45 UTC