📷: Tacloban City Fire Station / FB
The Anti-Terrorism Council is set to examine whether the recent “mass casualty incident” at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City could be classified as an act of terrorism under the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act.
Department of Justice Undersecretary Nicolas Felix Ty, in an interview on the Ted Failon and DJ Cha-cha program on True FM, said the matter requires careful review.
“Sa ngayon medyo nag-iingat kami diyan. Kailangan natin pag-aralan mabuti , unang-una kung ang salitang ginagamit sa Anti-Terror Act ay sakop ba ang ganitong mga gawain, at pangalawa, intensyon ba talaga ng mga kongresista na isakop ang ganitong gawain sa Anti-Terror Act,” Ty explained.
He noted that when the Anti-Terror Act was drafted, there had been no precedent involving young people in such violent events.
“Unang-una nang pinasa ang Anti-Terror Act, wala pang nakitang ganitong klaseng kasamaan na mangyayari rito sa bansa natin na kung saan ang mga kabataan ay mag-e-engage sa mass casualty event,” Ty said.
Ty also pointed out that other countries have taken different approaches, sometimes charging minors under their anti-terrorism statutes.
“Pero kung titingnan natin yung mga approach ng ibang bansa, may ibang bans ana kinakasuhan ang mga nasasangkot na bata sa anti-terrorism statute nila. Kaya kailangan natin pag-aralan na mabuti,” he added.
The DOJ official raised concerns about the consequences of such a move.
“Gusto ba talaga natin ito, ang isa sa consequence niyan ay ang bata, maituturing na terorista gaya ng NPA at Abu Sayyaf, parang handa ba tayo na may ganung tatak na ibibigay sa mga bata na ito?’ Ty asked. # (ZIA LUNA)
