Philippines activists wary of Duterte's anti-terror Bill

Opponents of the bill fear it could be used to suppress free speech and harass those who challenge Duterte - Reuters

MANILA (Reuters): Lawyers and human rights activists in the Philippines have raised the alarm over a new anti-terrorism Bill pushed by President Rodrigo Duterte, warning of draconian and arbitrary provisions that could be abused to target his detractors.

Duterte, who has drawn international criticism for his bloody war on drugs and his human rights record, is trying to expedite the passage of a law that expands the definition of terrorism and bolsters police powers of surveillance, arrest and detention.