REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

S pate

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 9742

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN IIT

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Terrorism is a threat to our national security as much as it is a threat to various countries
across the globe. It has taken the lives of many Filipinos and strained the capacities of the
government in its effort to secure the nation against lawless elements.

The region of Southeast Asia has been pivotal for many terrorist groups due to its
geographical location. The presence of the terrorist group, Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) still
remains in southern Philippines and continues its reign of terror. In July 31, 2018, it has been
reported that they facilitated the first suicide attack where 10 people died. There is also
growing worries on possible links of local terrorist groups to ISIS especially after the Marawi
Siege. With such security environment, it is necessary to strengthen the counter-terrorism
system of the government. Part of this is to foster partnership of the authorities and the
public, particularly through provision of information on any terrorist activities.

This bill seeks to provide a reward system for individuals who can give credible information
to the government leading to the arrest or prosecution of terrorists or deterrence of suspected
terrorist acts in our country. This bill also provides a mechanism that would also protect the
anonymity of these individuals who have provided significant information on terrorists.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

MANUEL ‘“ABOCHAN III
Representative
Magdalo Para Sa Pilipino Party-List

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 5742

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN III

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A REWARDS FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING TERRORISM
PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippine in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title.— This Act shall be known as the “Rewards for Information
Concerning Terrorism Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
protect the people from terrorist acts and provide the means and systems to prevent and
prosecute the commission of such acts.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purpose of this Act, the following terms shall
be defined as follows:

(a) Terrorism refers to the action by any person or organization, association or group of
persons who within or outside the Philippines, regardless of the stage of execution
where:

(1) the threat is designed to influence the government or to intimidate the public
ora section of the public, and is made for the purpose of advancing a political,
religious or ideological cause;

(2) the action involves serious violence against a person or groups of people,
serious damage to property, endangers a person’s life, other than that of the
person committing the action, creates a serious risk to the health or safety of
the public or a section of the public, or is designed seriously to cause extensive
interference with, damage or destruction to critical infrastructure;



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(3) the action involves with the development, manufacturing, possession,
acquisition, transportation, supplying or usage of weapons, explosives or of
biological, nuclear, radiological or chemical weapons;

(4) the use or release of dangerous substances, or causing fire, floods or
explosions when the purpose is to intimidate the general public or a segment
thereof, create an atmosphere or spread a message of fear, to provoke or
influence.

(b) Terrorists refer to individual or organization, association or group of persons who
conspire to commit or intend to commit acts of terrorism as defined in this Act,
including those identified by foreign law enforcement entities and government as
terrorists;

(©) Terrorist Organization, Association or Group of Persons shall refer to any entity
organized for the purpose of engaging in terrorism.

SEC. 4. Rewards for Information. — It is hereby declared the establishment of a
“Rewards for Information Concerning Terrorism Program” under the Department of Justice
to be administered by the Secretary of Justice, which is authorized to grant rewards to
individuals who furnish information leading to the following:

(a) the arrest or conviction of any person or persons for the commission of an act of
terrorism as defined in this Act, within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines;

(b) the arrest or conviction of any person or persons for conspiring or attempting to
commit an act of terrorism as defined in this Act, within the territorial jurisdiction of
the Philippines;

(©) the prevention, frustration or favorable resolution of an act of terrorism as defined in
this Act, within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines;

(@) the prevention of entry into the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines of any person
or persons known or suspected to be terrorists or members of any terrorist
organization.

SEC. 5. Determination of Entitlement and Maximum Amount. ~ The Secretary of
Justice shall determine whether an individual furnishing information described in Section 4 of
this Act is entitled to a reward and the amount to be paid. Under this Act, the reward may be
in an amount not to exceed Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00). However, a reward of Five
Hundred Thousand (P500,000.00) or more may not be made without the written approval of
the President.


SEC. 6. Withhold Identity and Witness Protection. —If it is determine that the
identity of the recipient of a reward or of the members of the recipient’s immediate family
must be protected, the Secretary of Justice may withhold the identity of the recipient from the
public or place the informant under the Witness Protecting Program; Provided, that any
reward granted under this Act shall be certified for payment by the Secretary of Justice.

SEC. 7. Exception of Government Officials. - No officer or employee of any
governmental entity who, while in the performance of his or her official duties, furnishes the
information described in Section 5 shall be eligible for any monetary reward under this Act.

SEC. 8. Penalties. — Any person who provides false or misleading information to
avail of or effect the grant of any reward under this Act shall be fined not more than Five
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six months but not
‘more than one year. If the person providing false or misleading information is a government
official or employee, apart from the aforementioned penalty, he/she shall be immediately
removed from office and perpetually disqualified from holding any government position.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Justice shall
promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of this
Act.

SEC. 10. Appropriations. — The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this
Act shall be charged to the budget of the Department of Justice as provided in the current
General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, the necessary sum for the implementation of this Act
shall be provided in subsequent General Appropriations Acts,

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in force

and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, executive orders, administrative orders, and
rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,