Counter-Terrorism in the Philippines: Review of Key Issues

19 Pages Posted: 5 Jul 2020 Last revised: 24 Aug 2020

See all articles by Ronald U. Mendoza

Ronald U. Mendoza

Ateneo De Manila University - Ateneo School of Government

Rommel Jude Ong

Ateneo de Manila University - Ateneo School of Government

Dion Lorenz Romano

Ateneo de Manila University - Ateneo School of Government

Date Written: July 3, 2020

Abstract

Last June 1, 2020, President Duterte certified the Anti-Terrorism Bill as urgent. Subsequently, Congress adopted the Senate version and passed it in the shortest time possible. The bill was intended to provide measures for the protection of the ordinary Filipino from acts of terrorism, and should have been with support and approval under normal circumstances. But this time is far from normal, and the bill has attracted opposition not only from the left, but from a broader sector of society.

This brings us to these questions: what were the compelling reasons to certify the bill as more urgent than say, the extension of the extraordinary powers of the President to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ordinary Filipino and our economy? Is the bill aligned with our constitution? Will it solve the domestic security problems festering for decades? What drives the objections against the bill? But perhaps the most disturbing concern among most members of society – do we have a common understanding of what is a terrorist?

Keywords: anti-terrorism, philippines

Suggested Citation

Mendoza, Ronald U. and Ong, Rommel Jude and Romano, Dion Lorenz, Counter-Terrorism in the Philippines: Review of Key Issues (July 3, 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3642311 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3642311

Ronald U. Mendoza

Ateneo De Manila University - Ateneo School of Government ( email )

Katipunan Road
Loyola Heights
Quezon City, 1108
Philippines

Rommel Jude Ong

Ateneo de Manila University - Ateneo School of Government ( email )

Pacifico Ortiz Hall, Social Development Complex
Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezo
Quezon City, 1108
Philippines

Dion Lorenz Romano (Contact Author)

Ateneo de Manila University - Ateneo School of Government ( email )

Pacifico Ortiz Hall, Fr. Arrupe Road
Social Development Complex, Loyola Heights
Quezon City, Manila 1108
Philippines

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