Senate OKs bill banning chemical weapons

The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill banning the production, financing, and use of chemical weapons.

Senate Bill 2871 or the proposed "Chemical Weapons Prohibition Act: was approved with 22-0 votes.

In his speech after the approval of the measure, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada highlighted that the passage of the proposed bill is a step closer to fulfilling the Philippines' commitment 31 years ago to the international community on the enactment of the Chemical Weapons Convention which the country is a signatory.

“Today, this institution demonstrates its dedication to global disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and strengthens existing regulatory policies to prevent utilization and diversion of chemicals for terrorism and non-peaceful purposes,” Estrada, sponsor of the measure, said.

Apart from fulfilling the country's commitment, the lawmaker stressed that the proposed law is a step to ensure the safety and peace of the future generation.

According to Estrada, the bill incorporates a provision that explicitly prohibits the financing of activities related to the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, use, or transfer of chemical weapons.  

Under SB 2871, any person who finances the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer, or use of chemical weapons shall be penalized with 20 years in jail up to life imprisonment, and a fine ranging between P500,000 to P1 million.

Meanwhile, any individual who engages in the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer, or use of chemical weapons shall be slapped with a penalty of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The offender will also be fined an amount ranging from P2 million to P5 million.

Penalties for other prohibited acts include imprisonment ranging from six years and a fine of up to P2 million.  

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa also welcomed the approval of the measure, saying this "serves a strong message to the international community that the Philippines is one with its pursuit towards a world free of chemical weapons."

"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," Dela Rosa said.

"One national legislation may not be enough to ensure universality in collective efforts against chemical attacks, but it is one step closer to our pursuit towards international peace and security," he added. —LDF, GMA Integrated News