RP anti-terrorism bills put on the back-burner

RP anti-terrorism bills put on the back-burner

MANILA (AFP): Bills intended to curb terrorism and crime have been put on the back-burner until economic bills are passed despite reports of possible threats from Moro rebels, Philippine Justice Secretary Teofisto Guingona said yesterday.

President Fidel Ramos however said that countering terrorism without such laws was like "fighting a championship bout with a very hardened ... opponent with one hand tied behind our backs," since the terrorists could take advantage of the country's democratic system.

Guingona admitted that the bills had run into stiff opposition because the public did not trust the national police not to abuse new powers envisaged.

Guingona told foreign correspondents here that Ramos was "putting ahead the economic measures for prior consideration," before the anti-terrorism bills.

Among the economic measures are an expansion of the country's irrigation system and tax reform which Guingona said was necessary for the country to compete internationally amid the worldwide opening of markets.

Guingona did not say if the administration had any timetable for the anti-terrorism bills to be passed.

However he reiterated past government statements that there were indications that local Moro rebels had forged links with foreign terrorists and that they could stage new attacks. He admitted however that he had no information on the specific threat posed by the Moros.

The anti-terrorism bills, which would allow wider use of arrests without warrants, wiretapping and opening of bank accounts, have been criticized for allegedly paving the way for the return of martial law.

Guingona admitted that people "do not believe the police are credible enough not to violate the laws themselves."

He said that until the anti-terrorist bills are passed, the authorities would have to increase intelligence and be more vigilant.

In a speech on Wednesday, Ramos said "terrorism is not under our law books," and that the country had to use traditional laws against murder and illegal possession of firearms and explosives against suspected terrorists.