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Philippines debates terror bill Philippines approves terror bill
(1 day later)
The Philippines Congress has begun debating an anti-terror bill aimed at tackling militants in the south, particularly Abu Sayyaf separatists. An anti-terror bill has been passed in the Philippines aimed at tackling militants in the south.
President Gloria Arroyo, who backs the bill, called a special two-day session of Congress so the draft law can be voted on before elections in May. The Human Security Act was approved by the House of Representatives late Monday and now goes to President Gloria Arroyo to be signed into law.
It has been much delayed amid criticism that it will endanger human rights. Ms Arroyo hailed the bill as a "potent weapon" to shield the country from the "global scourge" of terrorism.
The debate comes as US forces and their Filipino counterparts began joint war games practising anti-terror methods. Manila has long been urged by the US and other Western countries to bring in anti-terror legislation.
The draft legislation, the Human Security Act, would be the Philippines' first anti-terror legislation. The bill - which was ratified by the Senate two weeks ago - was watered down after opposition from some politicians and rights groups who feared the legislation would endanger human rights.
Watered down bill Crackdown fears
The Senate gave its approval for the bill two weeks ago and the lower house is expected to follow suit. Under the new law, security forces have the power to detain suspects without warrant or charge for up to three days.
The government says that the terror bill is necessary to give it the teeth to fight militants in the south of the country, particularly the Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf. It also allows authorities to access bank accounts they believe are being used to launder money for terrorist purposes.
The anti-terrorism bill is a commitment by the Philippine government to the international community House Speaker Jose de Venecia Abu Sayyaf is thought to have links with both al-Qaeda and the regional militant group Jemaah Islamiah, and has been blamed for a number of kidnappings and bombings in the region. The Philippine military is battling insurgents in the south
The government argues that under existing legislation terror suspects, such as those caught in possession of explosives, can be released immediately on bail. A conviction for terror offences could result in a 40-year jail sentence.
It would give security forces the power to detain suspects without warrant or charge for up to three days. In a bid to allay fears of rights violations, people who are wrongly detained will be offered compensation.
People who are wrongly detained will be offered compensation under the draft law. However, even a watered down version has not satisfied the bill's opponents, correspondents say.
The government had originally wanted 15 days, but were forced to water the bill down following pressure from opposition politicians and human rights groups. They fear Mrs Arroyo - already facing criticism over hundreds of extra-judicial killings in the country - will use the law to curb civil liberties and to crack down on her political adversaries.
But according to the BBC's Michael Barker in Manila even a watered down version does not satisfy the bill's opponents, who fear Mrs Arroyo - already facing criticism over hundreds of extra-judicial killings in the country - will use the law to curb civil liberties and to crack down on her political adversaries. The government said the terror bill is necessary to give it the teeth to fight militants in the south of the country, particularly the Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf.
"The anti-terrorism bill is a commitment by the Philippine government to the international community," House Speaker Jose de Venecia said ahead of the special session. Abu Sayyaf is thought to have links with both al-Qaeda and the regional militant group Jemaah Islamiah, and has been blamed for a number of kidnappings and bombings in the region.
"The measure is also needed by the police authorities in our commitment to keep our citizens safe from extremists' activities," he said. War games
Cancellation threat Debate of the bill came as the Philippines began new joint military exercises with US forces on Monday. The annual Balikatan exercises will run until 4 March.
The Philippines, a key US ally, began new joint military exercise with US forces on Monday.
The focus of the war games scenarios will be naval threats including ship hijackings and piracy, and cross-border attacks by Islamic extremists.The focus of the war games scenarios will be naval threats including ship hijackings and piracy, and cross-border attacks by Islamic extremists.
The war games were cancelled amid a spat over a jailed US marine"This is the first time that we'll have this type of maritime scenario," Major-General Stephen Tom, commander of the 400 US troops joining about 1,000 from the Philippine military for the exercises. "This is the first time that we'll have this type of maritime scenario," Major-General Stephen Tom, commander of the 400 US troops joining about 1,000 from the Philippine military for the exercises.
"We'll make sure both sides practice their techniques and procedures so if the crisis becomes so real, they will be able to operate effectively.""We'll make sure both sides practice their techniques and procedures so if the crisis becomes so real, they will be able to operate effectively."
The annual Balikatan exercises will run until 4 March. The US had cancelled the war games amid a row with the Philippine authorities over the handling of a US marine convicted of rape in the country. The US had cancelled the war games amid a row with the Philippine authorities over the handling of a US marine convicted of rape in the country.
A Manila court remanded Lance Corporal Daniel Smith in jail following his conviction on 4 December - a move which Washington said broke a special bilateral agreement over the treatment of US troops in the country.A Manila court remanded Lance Corporal Daniel Smith in jail following his conviction on 4 December - a move which Washington said broke a special bilateral agreement over the treatment of US troops in the country.
The US reinstated the exercises after the Philippines handed L/Cpl Smith to US custody.The US reinstated the exercises after the Philippines handed L/Cpl Smith to US custody.