Davao City Police Office:

Terrorism a Global Dilemma

By PSupt Perpetuo F Macion

Terrorism is a global problem. In the advent of space age technology, fast communication system and internet, the world becomes a global community. Distance is not a problem in economic transaction as well as terrorist threat in a country. The world is getting smaller everyday. As extremism sprout on the 21^st centuries, problems are not confined to one country but affect the neighboring countries as well. Motives of terrorism could be in a form of Psychological, Nationalism, Religion, Anger, Revenge, Martyrdom and Money.

Terrorist could attack anytime of the day, hour and minutes. This have been confirmed on the 9/11 attack of world trade center in US, global situation bombings and the Mumbai, India attack lately that resulted to lose of lives and properties. It is divine call to protect ourselves from this terrorist and we need a conscientious effort in fighting terrorism in our homeland.

Emerging threats such as the internet, weapons of mass destruction and suicide bombing are the line names of terrorism. Internet becomes their weapons in transmitting and receiving messages. It’s the venue for research in making weapons of mass destruction and indoctrination of suicide bombers.

How do we address these threats? The threat requires international cooperation to interdict terrorists, disrupt their planning, restrict their travel and reduce financial and material support. International cooperation works as long as we build trust to fight one goal to stop this terrorist and put them behind bars.

Our government enacted a new law on Human Security Act of 2007 or otherwise known as Republic Act 9372. The purposes of the law are to protect life, liberty and property from acts of terrorism; Condemns terrorism as inimical and dangerous to national security and welfare of the people and Makes terrorism a crime.

This is the elements of the crime of TERRORISM:

A. Commission of an act punishable under any of the following provisions of the Revised Penal Code:

1. Piracy and mutiny in the high seas or in the Philippine waters (Art.122);

2. Rebellion or insurrection (Art. 134);

3. Coup d‘ etat (Art. 134-a);

4. Murder (Art. 248);

5. Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention (Art. 267);

6. Crimes involving destruction (Art. 324)

7. Or under Special laws, to wit:

a. Arson (PD 1613);

b. Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990 (RA 6969);

c. Atomic Energy Regulatory and Liability Act of 1968 (RA 5207);

d. Anti-Hijacking law (RA 6235);

e. Anti-Piracy and Anti-Highway Robbery Law of 1974 (PD 532);

f. Illegal and unlawful possession, manufacture, dealing in, acquisition

or disposition of firearms, ammunitions or explosives (PD 1866,

as amended).

B. Thereby sowing and creating a condition of widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the populace.

C. In order to coerce the government to give in to an unlawful demand.

Any conviction in violation of this act will be meted a penalty of forty (40) years maximum imprisonment with NO Parole as provided for under Act No. 4103, or known as the Indeterminate Sentence Law.