Kapuso Actor and Navy Lieutenant Commander Dingdong Dantes believes that the anti-terror bill should be scrapped.
On the Instagram account of the actor, he lamented that the bill should at least be amended to protect the people’s freedom of speech.
“I am a reservist. Isang karangalan at tungkulin ang tumulong sa pangangalaga ng kaayusan at kapayapaan ng bansa. I am also a family man. Sa abot ng aking kakayahan ay sinisiguro kong ligtas, malusog at masaya ang aking pamilya.”
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“But I am an artist too. Hindi lang ito trabaho para sa akin. Isang responsibilidad ang magbahagi ng mga kwentong repleksyon ng ating realidad — masaya man o malungkot.”
He then lamented how the bill divided the nation because of its contentious parts, where it also caused fear and defeats the intent of what the bill would do,
“Sadly, the Anti-Terrorism Bill is also causing fear—fear from abuse of power because of uncertainties and lack of dialogue. It is unfortunate that instead of uniting the people during these difficult times, the bill is dividing us. We must remember that the bill must yield the greatest net benefit to the people.”
Contrary to what others would think, Dingdong agrees that the country should eradicate terrorism where he even cited the Global Terrorism Index of 2019.
“I completely agree that we must eradicate terrorism for our safety and wellbeing. Based on reports that I have read, the country ranks 9th in the Global Terrorism Index of 2019.”
He also stressed the importance of artists as vital storytellers, in his following Instagram post, yet the artists weren’t consulted about this bill.
“Artists were not consulted on this bill, and yet we are among those whose personal and professional lives are at stake.”
“Contrary to the notion that we only exist to entertain, artists are actually vital storytellers of our nation’s past, present and future. We help bring people together; we help Filipinos stand as one nation as we have always done in the past and are continuing to do during the current pandemic.”
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Dantes suggested the removal of Section 9 on incitement to terrorism, which is penalized by the bill.
“One is Section 9, Inciting to Commit Terrorism, which is defined by the bill as ‘any person who, without taking any direct part in the commission of terrorism, shall incite others to the execution of any of the acts… by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, banners or other representations tending to the same end.’ Would deleting this section make the law useless? I believe not.”
With regard to Section 9, one of the principal authors of the bill, Senate President Tito Sotto, explained and denied the claims that the bill will be used against the opponents of President Rodrigo Duterte or the administration.
He said critics “can curse at the President morning, noon or night or do the same to us, they won’t be arrested as terrorists.”
Ending Dantes’ lengthy post, the actor hopes that the actors will have representation and participation in the implementation of the Anti Terror Bill.
“Kung hindi na natin makukumbinsi ang Pangulo na i-veto ang Anti-Terror Bill, nananawagan kaming magkaroon ng representasyon at partisipasyon sa paggawa ng implementing rules and regulations ng Anti-Terror Law. Umaasa kaming mga aktor na maririnig at pakikinggan ang aming boses.”
