By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Despite apprehension by some activist groups, the Department of Justice (DOJ on Thursday (11 Jan 2024) assured that there won’t be any legal problem with the full implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Law and the granting of amnesty to several rebel groups.
DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano underscored that the anti-terror law and the granting of amnesty to rebels “can go on simultaneously.”
“The two are mutually exclusive. The current talks, which have been opened up by the administration, have nothing to do with the implementation of the ATA of 2020,” Clavano explained.
In a virtual press briefing organized by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), Clavano admitted that the full implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Act could affect the “status” of certain rebel groups asking for amnesty.
The DOJ spokesperson did not elaborate.
“These two can go on simultaneously. It may affect the status of a certain group granted amnesty if ever. However, the acts of terrorism, if still done during the talks, can still be prosecuted under the law. It’s a matter of good faith,” he stressed.
For its part, the NTF-ELCAC also welcomed the Supreme Court’s approval and issuance of procedural rules concerning petitions and applications related to the implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
(el Amigo/MNM)
