MANILA – In the wake of varying opinions about the Anti-Terrorism Bill of 2020 that awaits the signature of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, several groups of Filipinos in Europe, United States, the Middle East on Tuesday expressed concern to what they view as the appalling threat of terrorist groups that respects no one.
“The threat from terrorist groups such as Daesh,al-Qaeda, Abu Sayyaf Group, and communist terrorists is real and present. Terrorism does not discriminate by race nationality, political or personal beliefs. Terrorism respects none,” said more or less 30 groups of Filipinos residing and working overseas, in a statement.
All Filipinos, they said, are on the verge of the danger posed by terrorism.
“We need this law because we fear for the safety of our families in the Philippines as terrorists plan with their next move. We want this law to be passed now because of our children and the next generation of Filipinos deserve to live in a peaceful and secure environment,” the statement said.
They added that as members of a peace-loving community of the Filipinos overseas, they affirm their full support to the Anti-Terrorism Bill of 2020 so they can work abroad with fear and worries.
“Kailangan natin ang batas na ito dahil gusto namin sa aming pagbalik sa bayan natin, umuwi kami sa isang mapayapang bansa para sa lahat ng Pilipino (We need this law because we want to come home to a peaceful and safe country for all Filipinos),” it added.
The groups urged fellow Filipinos not to falter in the fight against terrorism.
“Our fight against terrorism should not wane. The Anti-Terrorism Bill will be our sword to eventually crush and defeat these terrorists,” they said, adding that they are partners of President Duterte in fulfilling the government’s mandate of ensuring a peaceful country safe from terrorists.
Signatories to the statement expressing support to the Anti-Terrorism Bill for a peaceful Philippines, safety of Filipino families, and better future of the youth are, as follows: Elizabeth Falk, president of United Filipino Global - Duterte Dynamisch and Solidarität (UFG-DDS) Germany; Ben Repol, chairman of Development Diversity and Solidarity (DDS) - Europe; Danilo Robles, DDS Greece; Gina Batucan-Zdarsky DDS-Germany Europe; Digna Andrin, DDS Italy; Mary Jen Fluhr, Germany;
Aurtenciano “KALI” R. Miranda Jr., chair of Kilusang Pagbabago DDS Italy; Quennie Laude, DDS Paris president/DDS Europe vice chair; Beverly Azcona, chair of UFG Milan; Daisy Solomon, founder/president of Global Peacekeepers and Anti-Crime Intelligence Group (GPCR-ACIG) Rome, Italy; Alberto Bagsac, chairperson of Bisdak, UK; Daniel A. Ogao, founder/president of Association of Chief of Police of the Philippines Inc. Milan Italy; Moe Wicks, chair of UK-DDS; Jeanith C. Villeco of UFG-Malta; Alberto S. Dayao, chair of Filipino American Community Action Group; Joel Inocencio, president of Patriotic Filipinos New York, USA; Rolando B. Ompoc, president of United Resource Speaker Group in Kuala Lumpur;
Renalou D. Cabuyado, secretary of Philippine Guardians Brotherhood, Inc. Jordan Chapter; Luciana M. Obejas, president of Federation of Filipino Association in Amman; Emily B. Cooper, UFG- United Kingdom; Alexander R. Gatchalian, UFG-South of France; Jennifer L. Daproza, of United Duterte Diehard Supporters Hong Kong (UDDS-HK); Jesnar I. Bade, chairman of Emilio Aguinaldo DDS HK; Lalaine Siason, chair of OFW Global Movement Association and Cooperation, Inc.; John Vargas, vice-chair of OFW Global Movement Association and Cooperation, Inc. Rahmah L. Fua, chair of TMA/Community Investigate Support (Al Khobar) Eastern Region, KSA; Adel J. Merino, president of Community Investigate Support Eastern Region;
Filipino International Martial Arts Federation Western Region. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; International Health and Safety Practitioner, Western Region; Multigeneration of Active Apostolic Guardians Association of the Philippines (MAAGAP) Inc. Saudi Arabia District; and Guardians Socialite Society Inc. International in Saudi Arabia;
Malacañang on Tuesday already received a copy of the Anti-Terrorism Bill of 2020 that is meant to add more teeth to the country’s law against terrorism.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte will thoroughly review the anti-terrorism bill to ensure that it complies with the 1987 Constitution, and assured critics and detractors that the measure will have safeguards against human rights abuses. (PNA)
