Two lawmakers from the province of Iloilo are among the principal authors of the controversial bill that seeks to strengthen policies against terrorism.

Second District Representative Michael Gorriceta, and Fifth District Representative Raul “Boboy” Tupas are listed as main authors of House Bill No. 6875 or the Anti-Terrorism Bill.

Tupas, chairman of the House Committee on National Defense and Security, and Masbate Representative Narciso Bravo Jr., chairman of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety, pushed to fast-track the bill.

Iloilo City Representative Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda’s name also appeared on the list, but she denied signifying her intention to coauthor the proposed tougher law against terrorist acts.

The neophyte lady lawmaker said she already requested Tupas and Bravo to have her name removed on the bill.

The Anti-Terrorism Bill was approved by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, June 3, on third and final reading.

Last week, the House Committees on Public Order and Safety and on National Defense and Security adopted the Senate’s version of the measure, which was approved last February 26.

PBA party-list Representative Jericho Nograles, also one of the authors, said the bill will be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte for his signature.

Duterte certified as urgent on Monday, June 1, the bill “to adequately and effectively contain the menace of terrorists acts for the preservation of national security and the promotion of general welfare.”

The bill introduced provisions imposing life imprisonment without parole on those who will participate in the planning, training, preparation, and facilitation of a terrorist act; possess objects connected with the preparation for the commission of terrorism; or collect or make documents connected with the preparation of terrorism.

Under the bill, any person who shall threaten to commit terrorism shall suffer the penalty of 12 years. The same jail term will be meted against those who will propose any terroristic acts or incite others to commit terrorism.

Any person who shall voluntarily and knowingly join any organization, association, or group of persons knowing that such is a terrorist organization, shall suffer imprisonment of 12 years.

Meanwhile, those who shall recruit another to join, commit, or support any terrorist organization shall be punished with a penalty of life imprisonment without the benefit of parole.

The measure not only establishes Philippine jurisdiction over Filipinos who may join and fight with terrorist organizations outside the Philippines but also ensures that foreign terrorists do not use the country as a transit point, a safe haven to plan and train new recruits for terrorist attacks in other countries.

Under the bill, the number of days a suspected person can be detained without a warrant of arrest is 14 calendar days, extendible by 10 days.

A new provision, designating certain Regional Trial Courts as Anti-Terror Courts, was also introduced to ensure the speedy disposition of cases.

The use of videoconferencing for the accused and witnesses to remotely appear and testify will also be allowed under the measure.

The amendments also provide for the police or the military to conduct 60-day surveillance on suspected terrorists, which may be lengthened to another non-extendable period of 30 days, provided that they secure a judicial authorization from the Court of Appeals.

To allay concerns of possible excesses by the authorities, the Commission on Human Rights shall be notified in case of detention of a suspected terrorist. IMT (with a report from PNA)