MANILA, Philippines — Even if some portions of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) were recently declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court (SC), a religious organization believes it is still a major roadblock to peace. ADVERTISEMENTPEPP reasoned that there are still provisions in the law that would allow the Anti-Terrorism Council to designate individuals extra-judicially as terrorists. “[…] As a whole, the Anti-Terrorism Law still greatly impedes on the peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). Certain alarming provisions in the law including the extra-judicial process in and power to designate terrorists, remain,” PEPP said in their statement on Friday. A peace that addresses the root causes of dissent and armed conflict and seeks their resolution through negotiation,” PEPP said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 11, 2021 04:46 UTC