“We consider this law inhuman because it would cause proliferation of warrantless arrests, thus, escalates human rights violations,” said Abubakar Uy, Suara’s secretary-general for Southern Mindanao

Also, the group says the law, approved in March 2007, once implemented would further curtail peoples’ right to peaceably assemble, their freedom of speech, and their other democratic rights.

The group has misgivings as to the definition of the word ‘terrorism’ in the law.

The word terrorism is not clearly defined in this law.   Any organization, personality, or individual, even members of the press, can be tagged as terrorists if they speak against the government,” said Uy.