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Anti-Terrorism Bill resurrected

Right after the Valentine’s Day bombings, the Anti-Terrorism Bill (ATB) was again floated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The ATB patterned after the Anti-Terrorism Bill of US President George Bush has been much ballyhooed as the solution to the terrorist attacks like the recent bombings in Makati City, Davao City, and General Santos City because this bill will give “teeth” to the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces and other government agencies to combat the terrorist menace. This bill was originally conceptualized in 2003 but was not passed into law by Congress.

But if we look closely, the bill is not merely to combat terrorism but more so, as a means to quell the democratic rights of the people particularly the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and to voice out grievances against the government. The bill’s definition of terrorism is too broad.

Furthermore, the ATB will only lead to an increase in human rights violations especially with the PNP and the AFP who have a history of utter disregard for the basic rights of the people.

To cite an example, after the infamous Rizal Day bombings in 2002, Muslims were arrested out of mere suspicion. Some were later released because there was no evidence of their involvement in the bombings.

Recently in the Cordillera, Kalinga farmers were harassed by the Philippine Army on mere suspicion that they were New Peoples Army supporters.

Just imagine how many innocent Filipinos will bear the brunt of the PNP and AFP if these military entities were given special powers by the ATB. #

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