“Binasa ko naman po ang Anti-Terror Law, wala pong probisyon doon na magagamit laban sa social media,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque told reporters.
Roque made the remark after Gapay hinted at the possibility of “regulating” social media.
“We’ll be providing some inputs on countering violent extremism and likewise, maybe regulating, even regulating social media because this is the platform now being used by terrorists to radicalize, to recruit and even plan terrorist acts,” Gapay said during a press conference on Aug. 3.
Roque said Gapay’s statement was only an opinion, and provisions in the widely criticized law only cover cybercrime.
“Opinion po iyan ni General Gapay…. Ang mayroon po diyan ay iyong ating cybercrimes law ‘no, may probisyon po diyan, pero subject po iyan sa authority na ibibigay ng ating hukuman,” he added.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also rejected Gapay’s claim, saying it was “illegal and unconstitutional.”
The anti-terror law was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last July 3. John Ezekiel J. Hirro