Col. Leon Victor Rosete
CABANATUAN CITY – The Nueva Ecija police provincial office on Wednesday expressed support to the controversial Anti-Terrorism Bill already forwarded to the President for his signature into law.
Col. Leon Victor Rosete, provincial director, said “itshall give the police a clear and stronger backbone and tool in fighting terrorism“ as it provides solid legal foundations to protect the community.
“It will also protect the rights of accused of the crime to have the due process of law since the bill requires law enforcement agencies to notify in writing theconcerned court, the CHR and Anti-Terrorism Council whenever terror suspects are detained,” Rosete said in a statement.
He added that the proposed measure provides the police as it gives enough time to conduct thorough investigation and to complete evidence against terror suspects with its 14-day reglamentary period as against the 36 hours of detention under the present Human Security Act. it also reinforces police powers of surveillance, arrest and detention but limits the chances of terrorists to escape due to the inability of police to complete the required evidence in courts, he noted.
Meanwhile, NEPPO personnel are now being readied for training to properly implement the measure once it is enacted into law, and for conducting public information and awareness activities on its provisions so that no abuses would happen.
The NEPPO personnel, according to the official, support the bill as they aim to protect Nueva Ecija and the entire country against communist-terrorist groups and extremists.
