Anti-terror law: Church and State are both right

ASK the family and friends of Gilbert Apiller Paala, 46, and Jeselyn Ordonio, 39, if the newly enacted Republic Act (RA) 11479, more widely known as the "Anti-Terrorism Law," is good for the country, and the grieving kith and kin in a Metro Manila slum area would probably shake their heads and even curse.

Several days ago, Paala had bought rice and food with P5,000 in social welfare aid when two masked, motorcycle-riding men shot him thrice, killing him instantly. Nearby was the wake for Ordonio, a single mother of five. She sustained four wounds on July 15, also from armed men in masks. Both victims were said to be drug users, but it’s not known if their killing had anything to do with the anti-narcotics campaign.