Philippine Supreme Court backs anti-terror measures

The Philippines Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of a 2007 anti-terror law that the government sought to bolster a US-backed campaign against al Qaida-linked militants but critics fear could muzzle civil liberties.

Left-wing alliance Bayan said today it would appeal against last Friday’s ruling.

The Human Security Act has rarely been used since it took effect because law enforcers fear the heavy punishment it carried for mistaken arrests.

Then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed the anti-terror law to turn her Southeast Asian country – regarded as a breeding ground of Islamic radicals - into a hostile territory for militants.

But opponents argued its definition of terrorism was too broad and could cover legitimate dissent.