Joey Ballares

Constitutional Law 1-B

14. In section 53 of Republic Act 9372- Human Security Act of 2007, it provides for the creation of an Anti-
Terrorism Council, composed of the Executive Secretary as chair and the Secretaries of Justice, Foreign Affairs,
Interior and Local Government, Defense, Finance and the National Security Advisor. The Anti-Terrorism Council
shall “assume the responsibility for the proper and effective implementation of the anti-terrorism policy of the
country”.

Taking account on the record of the Council, only a statement of Philippine’s chairman of the Anti-
Terrorism Council was documented.

Posted on 17 May, 2009 by Mathias Vermeulen

BusinessWorld (Philippines), 14 May 2009: Speaking on the PROTECT 2009 conference Mr. Ermita, chairman of the
Anti-Terrorism Council under the Office of the President, said: 

“We moved aggressively to challenge the Abu Sayyaf Group and have met successes, cutting their numbers significantly.
We neutralized several of its key leaders and individuals who played significant roles in the terrorists’ financial and
logistical support system.”

“We have also gotten rid of the Rajah Sulayman Movement and Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists, deported foreigners and
established links to international terrorists, and prevented further bombing incidents by conducting raids and confiscating
explosives and bomb-making components kept in terrorist lairs,” Mr. Ermita said.

He also cited two new laws which are helpful in curbing terrorism – Republic Act 9516 which imposes a 20- to 40-year
imprisonment for illegal possession and manufacture of explosives; and the anti-terrorism law or Human Security Act of
2007 which made it easy to track down terrorists through surveillance, proscription, seizure of assets and money-
laundering.

Mr. Ermita said all measures have resulted in the conviction of 46 terrorists, with another 204 still undergoing trial.

Aside from this document, there was no record on what has the Council have done to any further extent.

15. My experience on the Anti-Terrorism Council in relation to Supreme Court’s secret ruling and JDF can be
viewed in parallel. The Council’s