March 10, 2003, The Philippine Star, JDV: House to pass anti-terrorism bill, by Paolo Romero,

March 10, 2003, The Philippine Star, JDV: House to pass anti-terrorism bill, by Paolo Romero, 

Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. vowed yesterday that the House would pass an anti-terrorism law as he called on the people to support President Arroyo’s program for a strong republic "even if she is no longer running in 2004." 

"While we maintain respect for democracy and our civil liberties, we must take stronger anti-terrorism action because most countries in Southeast Asia and East Asia have already taken such a step," De Venecia said in his speech at the inauguration of a bridge project in Dagupan City. 

He expressed apprehension that drug syndicates, vice lords and terrorist groups might transfer their operations to the Philippines if they perceive the country to be a weak state. 

De Venecia did not give any timetable for the bill’s passage, but said it would be done as soon as possible in response to the President’s call and the repeated terrorist bomb attacks in Mindanao. 

He said Mrs. Arroyo has appealed for a legislative measure that will fortify the amended Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) as she "mobilizes forces to fight the combination of insurgent and terrorist action" in Mindanao. 

The President had said the enactment of a tough anti-terrorism law — which she certified to Congress last year for immediate legislation — is part of her administration’s "paradigm shift" to add teeth to the government’s anti-terrorism campaign. 

"Now I ask Congress to help me achieve justice and stop terrorism," she said in a speech at Malacañang. "I ask Congress to help me now pass an anti-terrorism act... (and) judicial reforms." 

The Filipino nation as a whole, Mrs. Arroyo said, will be involved in carrying out this "paradigm shift" to deal with the "bolder face of terrorism" in the country, as exemplified by the Davao City airport bombing. 

De Venecia said passage of an anti-terrorism law by Congress would enable the country to address security problems facing the nation on the eve of an imminent invasion of Iraq by the US and its allies. 

Several bills are pending in the House of Representatives seeking the prosecution of suspects for certain acts of terrorism. 

De Venecia said that during the past several months, he had extensive discussions on the provisions of an anti-terrorism law with the Speaker of the Russian Duma, Gennady Selenev, Chairman Li Peng of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress, and Italian Speaker of Parliament Fernando Casini. 

He said he will also seek the reactivation of the Global Christian-Muslim Coalition, in anticipation of possible bitterness among Muslims if the United States and its allies launch a military strike against Iraq. 

De Venecia urged the government to restore peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the communist National Democratic Front-New People’s Army (NDF-NPA). 

He said there are certain factions in the MILF and NDF-NPA that have grown tired of fighting and are looking toward a negotiated political settlement with the government.