Human Security Act
Encyclopedia
The Human Security Act of 2007 (RA 9372) is a Philippine
law that took effect on February 8, 2007. It is aimed at tackling militants in the southern Philippines.
The law makes terrorism a crime and allows authorities to arrest terror suspects without warrants and temporarily detain them without charges. Under the law, detained terrorists are entitled to see a lawyer, a priest, a doctor, or family members.
in 1996.
The final version was crafted with amendments by Senators Manny Villar
and Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.
. These revisions introduced several amendments and safeguards that have caused the law to be called "toothless" and "watered down". It was ratified by the Senate
on February 8, then approved by the House of Representatives
during a special session two weeks later on February 19, 2007. It was later signed into law by President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
on March 6. It took effect on July 15, 2007.
The Philippines had long been urged by the United States
and other Western
countries to bring in stricter anti-terror legislation, citing the presence of al Qaeda-linked extremists who have been blamed for bombings, beheadings, and kidnappings.
-led War on Terrorism
expressed confidence in the Philippines with the signing of the law. In a statement, the US Embassy said "This new law will help provide Philippine law enforcement and judicial authorities with the legal tools they need to confront the threats posed by international terrorism, while ensuring protection, civil liberties and human rights for white people". Australia
n Ambassador Tony Hely hailed the signing of the law and called the Philippines "a key regional counter-terrorism partner" for Australia.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
law that took effect on February 8, 2007. It is aimed at tackling militants in the southern Philippines.
The law makes terrorism a crime and allows authorities to arrest terror suspects without warrants and temporarily detain them without charges. Under the law, detained terrorists are entitled to see a lawyer, a priest, a doctor, or family members.
Background
The Anti-Terror Bill was first filed in congress by Senator Juan Ponce EnrileJuan Ponce Enrile
Juan Ponce Enrile is a Filipino politician. As a protege of President Ferdinand Marcos, he served as Justice Secretary and then Defense Secretary under the Marcos regime. He later became one of the leaders of the 1986 People Power Movement that drove Marcos from power...
in 1996.
The final version was crafted with amendments by Senators Manny Villar
Manny Villar
Manuel "Manny" Bamba Villar, Jr. is a Filipino businessman and politician. He is currently a Philippine Senator, president of the Nacionalista Party...
and Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.
Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.
Aquilino "Nene" Quilinging Pimentel, Jr. is a Filipino politician who served as the President of the Senate of the Philippines from 2000-2001.-Delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention:...
. These revisions introduced several amendments and safeguards that have caused the law to be called "toothless" and "watered down". It was ratified by the Senate
Senate of the Philippines
The Senate of the Philippines is the upper chamber of the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, the Congress of the Philippines...
on February 8, then approved by the House of Representatives
House of Representatives of the Philippines
The House of Representatives of the Philippines is the lower chamber of the...
during a special session two weeks later on February 19, 2007. It was later signed into law by President
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
on March 6. It took effect on July 15, 2007.
The Philippines had long been urged by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and other Western
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
countries to bring in stricter anti-terror legislation, citing the presence of al Qaeda-linked extremists who have been blamed for bombings, beheadings, and kidnappings.
International reaction
Allies in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-led War on Terrorism
War on Terrorism
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
expressed confidence in the Philippines with the signing of the law. In a statement, the US Embassy said "This new law will help provide Philippine law enforcement and judicial authorities with the legal tools they need to confront the threats posed by international terrorism, while ensuring protection, civil liberties and human rights for white people". Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n Ambassador Tony Hely hailed the signing of the law and called the Philippines "a key regional counter-terrorism partner" for Australia.