Tuluyan nang inaprubahan ng Senado sa ikatlo at huling pagbasa ang isang panukalang batas na nagbabawal sa produksiyon, pagpopondo at paggamit ng chemical weapons sa anumang pamamaraan sa ilalim ng Senate Bill No. 2871.
Umabot sa 22 mambabatas ang pumabor sa panukalang “Chemical Weapons Prohibition Act”; na walang negative votes.
Sa kanyang privilege speech, sinabi ni Senate President Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, sponsor ng panukala na “the Senate’s approval signifies that it has taken a historic step toward fulfilling the country’s international commitment to global disarmament and the eradication of chemical weapons.”
Ayon kay Estrada, chairman ng Senate Committee on National Defense, pangunahing layunin ng panukala na ipagbawal ang anumang aktibidad na may relasyon o kaugnayan sa paggamit, pagmanupaktura, produksiyon at pagpopondo ng chemical weapons.
“Thirty-one years after the Philippines signed the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and 28 years since the Senate concurred in the ratification of the same, finally we are one step closer to fulfilling our commitment of enacting a national legislation to fully implement its provisions and join the international community in the ongoing efforts to completely eliminate chemical weapons and prohibit its use,” ani Estrada sa speech.
Pinaburan din ni Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, ang pagkaka-apruba ng Senado sa panukala na nagsasabing na magsisilbi itong malakas na mensahe sa international community na kalahok ang Pilipinas patungo sa mundo na ligtas at walang gumagamit ng chemical weapon.
“In this day and age where anything is possible through the rapid technological advancements and scientific developments, from the proliferation of the cyberattacks to chemical security threats, to say that it is imperative for our country to boost our legislative efforts through measures that will ensure prosecution against those who violate the Convention, is an understatement,” ayon kay Dela Rosa, dating Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.
“Any person who would be found guilty of financing the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer, or use of chemical weapons would be penalized with 20 years in jail up to life imprisonment, and a fine ranging between P500,000 to P1 million,” ayon sa panukala.
“Also, any individual who engages in the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer, or use of chemical weapons shall face a penalty of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, and would be ordered to pay P2 million to P5 million as fine,” giit ng panukala. Ernie Reyes
