ILOILO CITY - National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales wants the country's anti-terrorism law amended, barely fourth months after the law took effect.

Gonzales said the amendments to the Human Security Act (Republic Act 9372) are needed because law enforcers are hesitant to file cases against suspected terrorists because of provisions that are "anti-enforcer." "We don't want to use the law," Gonzales said when asked in a press conference here why there have been no cases for violation of the HSA after the law took effect on July 15.

He said provisions of the law imposing stiff fines and imprisonment against law-enforcers who file unsubstantiated cases against suspected terrorists have pushed policemen not to file cases.

"There is hesitance among policemen...and if the implementation of the law becomes a balancing act, then (the law) becomes ineffective.

Defense Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, spokesman of the government's Anti-Terrorism Task Force, earlier voiced the same concerns.

Blancaflor had said that "there are four provisions against terrorists while there are 22 provisions against law enforcers."

He had also pointed out that under the HSA, it is difficult to file a case.

Under the law, an act is considered terroristic if it is among the 12 crimes enumerated in the provisions of the law including murder, rebellion or insurrection, arson, and coup d' etat. The act should also sow widespread fear and panic among the populace and must be complimented with attempts to "coerce government to give in to an unlawful demand."

A person who is acquitted or if the cases filed against him/her are dismissed, will be paid P500,000 for each day the person was detained or the person's assets seized.

Gonzales said the anti-terrorism law also needs to be focused on specific terror groups and modes of attacks. He pointed out that the present trend in the global anti-terrorism campaign is to focus on suicide bombing and attacks.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines had earlier also called for a review of the law amid fears raised by civil libertarians and human rights groups that it will worsen political killings and other human rights violations in the country.*NPB

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