mongster's nest

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'I see terrorist people'

I was invited to write a weekly column for UPI-Asia (United Press International). Below is my first article. By the way, my column's name is Peripheries.

Various groups are apprehensive over the composition of the Philippines' new Anti-terrorism Council. Most of the members of this council are accused of being architects of repressive policies of the government. With the implementation of the Anti-terror Law, what will stop them from accusing anyone, especially critics of the government, as terrorists?

Before 9/11, terrorism in the Philippines was equated with the small bandit group Abu Sayyaf. Their nefarious activities were invoked by the military to justify bloated funding for armaments. After 9/11, the Philippine government committed itself to the U.S. and British-led War on Terror. The state began to identify groups with links to the al-Qaida network. Communist groups were labeled as terrorists. The political opposition was accused of destabilization.The Philippines suddenly became a haven of terrorists.

The government exagerrated threats of terrorism to impose repressive security measures. The public was conditioned to believe that terrorists were planning bigger attacks, at any time. Nowadays, people expect and accept the frisking of bodies and bags by security personnel in almost all places: shopping malls, schools, train stations, bus terminals, government offices and hospitals.

Now, here comes the anti-terrorism law known as the Human Security Act. The law contains provisions that will curtail civil liberties. It will also empower a committee tasked with overseeing the implementation of the law. The Anti-terrorism Council will be composed of the executive secretary, secretaries of justice, interior and local government, national defense, foreign affairs and finance, as well as the national security adviser. The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency serves as the Council's secretariat.

The Council's functions include: directing the arrest of suspected terrorists, recommending the proscription of suspected terrorist organizations, speedy investigation and prosecution of all persons accused or detained for the crime of terrorism or conspiracy to commit terrorism; freezing bank accounts and funds of suspected terrorists; and establishing and maintaining a database on terrorism.

Most of the members of this Council are aligned with repressive governmental policies; they are not really known as defenders of civil liberties. They are notorious for maligning and badmouthing the political enemies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The Anti-terror Law opens the way for them to accuse even such critics as terrorists.

Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales recently deployed soldiers in a province where his daughter lost in the congressional elections. He invoked national security, but others accused him of using his position to harass political rivals. Two weeks ago, he admitted that the Anti-terror Law would be used to target the Reds. Gonzales' lifelong crusade is to eliminate communists in the country. His personal enmity against the radical left is publicly known. He makes no distinction between terrorists and communists.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita is part of the notorious Cabinet Oversight Committee for Internal Security, which is allegedly the core group directing extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. Ermita is among the numerous former military officials in the president's Cabinet, which is seen by many as proof of the military's huge influence in managing the affairs of the country.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales is the most hated Cabinet official because of his rude, irresponsible and nasty remarks against anyone who tries to criticize the president. He intimidates the opposition by threatening to file rebellion cases against groups and personalities who call for the president's resignation. He is credited with masterminding repressive measures such as the Calibrated Preemptive Response for the violent dispersal of protest rallies, Proclamation 1017 on declaring a State of National Emergency, and Executive Order 464 which requires Cabinet members to seek the president's permission before testifying in the Senate. All these measures were later identified by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional.

Before the passage of the Anti-terror Law, there were already cases of illegal wiretapping -- even the president's phonecalls were recorded. There were warrantless arrests -- a warrant issued 21 years ago was used to detain a leftist lawmaker -- illegal detentions and wrongful prosecution of activists. The Anti-terror Law will merely provide legal justification for 'terroristic' activities committed by the state.

Rarely has a new law, even before its implementation, caused so much widespread fear in the country. It shows that many Filipinos have not yet forgotten the horrors of Martial Law. It also confirms the low credibility of the government when it comes to the protection of individual freedoms.

The Anti-terrorism Council will be the all-powerful committee that will decide who are the terrorists that should be punished. Can we trust the Anti-terrorism Council? Can we trust the devil?

Related entries:

Terror in the city
Raul siraulo
Real meddlers

posted by: mongpalatino at July 17, 2007 09:13 | link | comments (2) |
reds

Comments:

#1  17 July 2007 - 22:07

 

congratulations on your maiden column piece for UPI.

mabuhay ka, mong!

Anonymous

#2  29 July 2007 - 16:41

 

This maiden column for UPI Asia is something to remember as a great first.. There is always a first time, but this one is way above our expectations.. Encore!


Gerry Albert

Anonymous

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