US-DoJ offers to help SC with Anti-Terror Act

THE United States Department of Justice has offered to assist the Philippine Supreme Court in the preparation of a manual and training for judges concerning the rules on the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020, as well as on the selection process and composition of the Office of the Judiciary Marshals.

This possibility was discussed during the courtesy call of representatives from the US Department of Justice’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training (Opdat) last Thursday at the en banc conference room of the Supreme Court in Ermita, Manila.

Opdat was formed to develop and administer technical assistance designed to enhance the capabilities of foreign justice sector institutions and their law enforcement personnel, so they can effectively partner with the Department of Justice in combating terrorism, trafficking in persons, organized crime, corruption, and financial crimes.

Opdat representatives’ courtesy call came a day after several Supreme Court officials met with United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene Khan during which the controversial ATA was also discussed.

During the meetings, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said the rules were promulgated “to ensure that our judges will handle properly and effectively, protecting the rights of people vis-à-vis prosecution against anti-terrorism.”

The Rules on the ATA and Related Laws, which took effect last January 15, apply to petitions and applications regarding detentions without judicial warrants of arrest, surveillance orders, freeze orders, restrictions on travel, designations, proscriptions, and other court issuances promulgated to implement the ATA and other related laws.