Manila, April 25 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed a law prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons.

Under Republic Act (RA) 12174 inked by Marcos on April 15, it is prohibited to develop and use chemical weapons; finance its production and use; transfer domestically or by cross-border movement, directly or indirectly, precursors and scheduled chemicals without the necessary license or permit.

RA 12174 designates the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) as the Philippine national authority on the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The ATC will serve as the national focal point for effective liaison with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and other States Parties to ful...