ANOTHER petition was with the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
The 22nd petition against Republic Act 11479 was filed on Tuesday by House deputy minority speaker Mujiv Hataman, Anak Mindanao party-list Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan, lawyer Satrina Mohammad, Jamar Kulayan Alman Najar
Namla, Bensaud Degsuman, Rameer Tawasil and Sheik Jamasiri Jainal.
Like the previous petitioners, they argued that the anti-terrorism law
is unconstitutional and should be declared as such by the High Court. They said the law also infringes on their right to freely exercise
their religion.
Because the law punishes “inciting” to commit terrorism,” the petitioners said, they might be mistaken to be committing such violation if they openly express their belief in the concept of “jihad,” which they added has erroneously come to be known as a “terrorist attack” due to growing Islamophobia, the 9/11
attack in the United States, and the rise of Islamic State in Iraq and
Syria or ISIS.
They said inner or greater jihad actually involves a struggle against one’s own base impulses and evil inclination, and to make personal and social life conform with the guidance of Allah.
Like the other petitioners, they said the definition of terrorism under the said law is vague and will be prone to abuse by law enforcers on the ground. They said their fear is not unfounded as many Muslims have suffered from wrongful arrest and detention from the hands of law enforcers.
“This is more than several simple cases of mistaken identity. This is
prejudice and injustice based in unfounded fear of Muslims. It is
religious discrimination, plain and simple,” they said, adding that
“RA 11479 “threatens to sacrifice liberty in exchange for security.”
It was the second such petition against the new filed by members of the Muslim community. Last month, four Muslim lawyers — Algamar Latiph, Bantuas Lucman, Musa Malayang and Dalomilang Parahiman — also questioned the constitutionality of the law signed by President Duterte on July 3.
