THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANTI-TERROR LAW IN COTABATO CITY

Abstract

Terrorism has been a major problem encountered globally. In the report of the global terrorism index of 2022 stated that 5,226 increases of terrorism attack were recorded in the year 2021, but the deaths declined slightly by about two percent. Further, Ukraine conflict is seen to drive rise in traditional and cyber terrorism, reversing previous improvement of the world. The Anti-terrorism Act of 2020, officially designated as Republic Act no. 11479, is a counter-terrorism law intended to prevent, prohibit and penalize terrorism in the Philippines. Law Phil, (2020) mentioned that in this legislation brought significant achievement of the government in mitigating the occurrence of the terrorism attack in the country.

Objective of the article: The study determines the initial impact of the anti-terror law implementation among the Muslims lawyers and identify the challenges encountered during the implementation of the said law during the academic year 2022-2023. Specifically it focused on the impact of the implementation of R.A 11749 based on the narratives of the victims of human rights violations, the implementation of R.A 11749 in the peace and order situation of Cotabato City, the level of effectiveness on the Implementation of R.A 11749 in curtailing conspiracy to commit terrorism, acts of rebellion, proliferation of weapons, recruitment to and membership in a terrorist group, providing materials and support to terrorists and publishing an advertisement on citing sedition/terrorism, and the opinions of Muslim Lawyers on the implementation of Anti-terror Law.

The interest of the case: Muslims around the world, especially in a non-Muslim countries, are tagged or accused as terrorists or sponsored of terrorism. This phenomenon spread far and wide in the Philippines and even in Cotabato city. In fact, there are some items in media both printed, televised and or broadcasted, may it be social and mainstream media considered the city of Cotabato as safe haven of terrorist. Because of this media mileage Islam and Muslims are constantly under attack and people where almost program to consider Muslims as monster.

Knowing and understanding this law gives an ample perimeter to every Muslims to intellectually defend themselves from discrimination and prejudice which are the natural outcome of this wrong notions circulating everywhere. Thus, the researcher deemed it necessary to pursue this study.       

Methodology: The research design used in this study was qualitative and quantitative method using a descriptive design. A survey questionnaire was used to gather data to the (100) respondents. The implementation of this law has seen a significant change in maintaining the peace and order in the locality. But most of the interviewed participants in this research study particularly the victims of human rights and the Muslim lawyers were afraid of the possible violation might happen to them like the possible human rights violation and being red-tagged while exercising their freedom of expression in criticizing the government because several issues arise on this matter.

Outcomes: The implementation of the R.A 11749 also known as the Anti-terrorism Act of 2020 in Cotabato city is observed to be highly effective in terms of maintaining peace and order, curtailing the act of terrorism and other various matter relating to the mandates of the law. But there are some fears of the respondents that this law will be violated due to the fact that following the implementing rules and regulation of this law is hard to implement because of the lacking of man power, the slow movement of judicial system and the political division in the country.

Keywords: Impact of the implementation of R. A 11749, level of effectiveness on the Implementation of R.A 11749 11749 in curtailing the a. Conspiracy to commit terrorism, b. Acts of Rebellion, c. Proliferation of weapons, d. Recruitment to and membership in a terrorist group, e. Providing materials and support to terrorists, and publishing an advertisement on citing sedition/terrorism. Opinions of Muslim Lawyers on the implementation of Anti-terror Law.