MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday signed into law the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 despite heavy opposition over fears that it could be used to silence critics.

The signing of Republic Act No. 11479 comes just days after four soldiers tracking terrorists were killed in the hands of police officers in Jolo, Sulu and as tensions continued to rise between the military and police forces.

Rights groups and critics have called out the measure on fears that it could be abused to violate basic rights due to the broad definition of "terrorism."

• Duterte signs anti-terror bill into law despite growing opposition

Read the full law below:

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