68 2020 Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines March 2020. Some of them sought refuge in health centers, while others sought shelter with their relatives in Barangays Poblacion and Cabuyuan. It was reported that the incident had already stopped the following day and the IDPs returned to their respective homes. The local government provided support to the affected families.292 237 In Barangay Malabog, Paquibato District, Davao City, an armed encounter occurred on 22 April 2020. The encounter resulted in the displacement of 47 families belonging to the Ata Tribe of Sitio Taloytoy. The IDPs stayed at the tribal center for one week and were provided with rice, among others. There were no reports of missing persons. The IDPs returned to their homes after a week. 293 Passage of Anti-Terrorism Law 238 The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 is a law that seeks to prevent, prohibit, and penalize terrorism in the Philippines. Many claim that it has questionable provisions in that it defines terrorism in overly broad terms, allows for a longer period of detention without a warrant of arrest or judicial intervention, and sanctions the surveillance of suspected terrorists, among others. Even before it was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte, numerous groups have expressed concerns over certain provisions of the law. A lot are concerned in the provision of the said law. Upon its enactment into law, it was swiftly met with opposition and petitions questioned its constitutionality before the Supreme Court. The petitioners challenged provisions that are deemed to violate human rights such as freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, right to privacy, and many others. This law could affect human rights. There were 37 Petitions filed in the Supreme Court indicating the widespread opposition to the said law.294 239 The CHR took a stand on the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 11479, otherwise known as the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which repealed the Human Security Act of 2007. By filing a Brief of Amicus Curiae, with leave of court before the Supreme Court, the CHR expressed its views as to the unconstitutionality of the law and its non-conformity with international human rights principles. Among others, the brief argued that the law violates the right to freedom of expression and opinion, the right to due process, and the right to presumption of innocence. For instance, by having a vague and unclear definition of terrorism, the law adversely affects the right to due process in that the people are not 292 See https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1036569. 293 Human Rights Regional Situationer Report January to June 2020. San Fernando City: CHR Regional Office III. 294 Beltran, M. (2021, February 4). Battle Over Anti-Terror Law Opens at the Philippines’ Top Court. Retrieved from The Diplomat: https://thediplomat.com/2021/02/battle-over-anti-terror-law-opens-at-the-philippines-top-court/.