DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The City Council is on the process of finalizing an ordinance which seeks to punish terrorist activities linked to the Islamic State or ISIS.
Ciity Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte reportedly said the “anti-ISIS” ordinance will only need a little more “fine-tuning” before it passes the city council.
Duterte said they are still reviewing the draft to avoid violations on the privacy of those who will be subjected to investigation. He said the ordinance is already at the committee on peace and public safety headed by Councilor Nilo Abellera and will be ready in “two to three weeks.”
“Naa na sa committee ni Councilor Nilo Abellera, fine tuning among ginabuhat para sa legalidad niya nga dili ta mabalikan og kaso kay mura pud tag ni-invade sa privacy ato nga tao nga nisulod sa Davao. Amo nang gina-fine tuning para…you cannot prevent someone kay naa man pud siyay gusto nga isamba nga mga tao o unsa ba diha (It’s already with the committee of Councilor Nilo Abellera, we are fine-tuning it for legal purposes to avoid problems because it would seem like you are invading the privacy of a person entering the city. You cannot prevent someone from exercising his faith… ),” he said.
Waving and possession of the ISIS flag will also be punishable, Duterte said.
“Pasok siya kung imong iwagayway ang Isis flag because it connotes terrorism. Makita man nato nga ang flag sa Isis bisan asa nila ginasaka they are against that government. It could be included because we only pledge allegiance to the flag of the Philippines (It will be prohibited in the ordinance because when you wave an ISIS flag it connotes terrorism. As we can see wherever they place an ISIS flag means they are against that government),” he added.
The Vice Mayor added that the ordinance will punish acts related to terrorism and those supporting terrorism.
Among the possible penalty is a fine of P5,000 and a year of imprisonment.
In July last year, Vice Mayor Duterte has already revealed that they received an information of a possible threat by Isis in the city.
City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has ordered the city council to come up with measured to strengthen the city’s anti-terror campaign.
A committee hearing will be held on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the ordinance. (davaotoday.com)
