GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Calling it a necessary measure to effectively address terrorism in the country, officials of five municipalities in South Cotabato province have rallied support for the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act 2020.
In separate manifestos issued on Monday, the peace and order councils (POCs) of Polomolok, Norala, Tupi, Banga, and Sto. Nino towns joined calls for President Rodrigo Duterte to sign the bill into law.
Mayors Honey Lumayag-Matti of Polomolok, Clemente Fedoc of Norala, Romeo Tamayo of Tupi, Albert Palencia of Banga, and Pablo Matinong of Sto. Nino were joined by their respective municipal councils and chiefs of police in signing the manifestos.
The South Cotabato mayors said the anti-terrorism bill was necessary to end the decades-long rebellion and the continuing violence by terrorist groups.
“These have resulted in serious problems and compromised individual rights in the process as terrorists only advanced their own interests,” the manifesto said in Filipino.
The local chief executives also cited the lives "lost and ruined" because of terrorist acts, which they said have a disproportionate impact on women, children, and young people.
The MPOCs said the proposed law aims to end the threats from terrorism, which have affected economic growth, drove away tourists, and discouraged foreign investors from pouring in capital into the country.
“If we want our country to progress and develop further, this is the right time for us to have an effective shield from criminality, terrorism, illegal drugs, and corruption,” the manifestos said.
They urged residents to embrace and support the proposed law as it was mainly for the good of the entire nation and future generations. (PNA)
