Top security officials are seeking amendments to the 11-year-old antiterrorism law, which they consider the “weakest” in Southeast Asia, to allow for longer detention of suspects without charges and technical surveillance period. ADVERTISEMENTSpeaking at a Senate hearing, they said the current Human Security Act was too stringent and restricted law enforcers from going after terrorists. ML on back burnerDefense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said a stronger law would put the need for a martial law declaration on the back burner. “We will not use martial law if we have something that could give teeth to the security agencies,” he said. Albayalde said the country should not wait for a repeat of the five-month siege of Marawi City by Islamic State-allied forces before strengthening the Human Security Act.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer October 01, 2018 19:18 UTC