SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House Bill No.5 50'7

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE AMADO T. ESPINO, JR.

AN ACT
DECLARING AS UNLAWFUL THE MEMBERSHIP IN ANY PHILIPPINE COURT
PROSCRIBED OR UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL-DESIGNATED
TERRORIST ORGANIZATION AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The prime duty of the government is to serve and protect its people. Article II, Section 5 of the 1987
Constitution states that, “The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and
property, and promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the
blessings of democracy.” The people rely on the government for their safety and security.

‘Terrorism is a global phenomenon and is a major security issue in the Philippines. The Global Peace
Index of 2016! reported that deaths from terrorism increased by eighty per cent (80%) from 2015.

Terrorist groups use their extremist ideology to motivate individuals to use violence and intimidation
in furtherance of political or social objectives. While the country faces the widespread of terrorism, it
is imperative to create a policy that will declare unlawful membership in organizations deemed to
threaten the security of the nation and its people.

This bill seeks to penalize unlawful membership in terrorist organizations mainly persons who, with
his knowledge, becomes or express his/her intention to become a member of any Philippine court
proscribed or United Nations Security Council-Designated Terrorist Organization shall suffer the
penalty of reclusion perpetua,

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is eamestly requested.

* http://visionofhumanity.org/indexes/global-peace-index/


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE AMADO T. ESPINO, JR.

ee

AN ACT
DECLARING AS UNLAWFUL THE MEMBERSHIP IN ANY PHILIPPINE COURT
PROSCRIBED OR UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL-DESIGNATED
TERRORIST ORGANIATION AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR

Be iit enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION. 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Unlawful Membership in Terrorist
Organizations Act of 2017.”

SEC. 2. Unlawful Membership in Terrorist Organizations. —It shall be unlawful for any person
to knowingly become a member or manifest his/her intention to become a member of any
Philippine court proscribed or United Nations Security Council-Designated Terrorist
Organization.

SEC. 3. Penalty: ~ Any person found guilty under this Act shall suffer the penalty of reclusion
perpetua,

SEC. 4. Period of Detention without Judicial Warrant of Arrest. ~ The provisions of Article
125 of the Revised Penal Code to the contrary notwithstanding, any police or law enforcement
Personnel, who, having been duly authorized in writing by the Anti-Terrorism Council has taken
custody of a person charged with or suspected of violating Section 2 of this Act, shall without
incurring any criminal liability for delay in the delivery of detained persons to proper judicial
authority within a period of three (3) days counted from the moment the said charged or
Suspected person has been apprehended or arrested, detained, and taken into custody by the said
Police, or law enforcement personnel.

Sec. 5. False Testimony or Evidence. Any person who knowingly furnishes false evidence in
any action brought under this Act shall be punished by prision correccional.

SEC 6. Evidentiary Requirement. — No person shall be convicted of any of the offenses
Penalized herein unless on the testimony of at least two (2) witnesses to the same overt act or
confession of the accused in open court.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid,
the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain full force and effect.


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SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. ~All laws, executive orders, letters of instruction, rules and
regulations, or provisions thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity — This Act shall take fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,