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Anti-Terrorism Bill, desperate move of GMA

By Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA)
Room 208, Laperal Bldg. Session Road, Baguio City

February 23, 2005

The Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) is deeply alarmed with the desperate move of the Arroyo government to revive the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill (ATB) and its accompanying National Identification (NID) System in Congress signing and dubbing it as urgent bills.

Under the proposed Anti Terrorism Bill, the definition of “terrorism” is too broad and vague that it makes all kinds of legitimate actions such as protests, marches, and pickets terrorist acts. The proposed bill does not provide a clear distinction between terrorists and persons acting on their issues through legitimate processes. The NID, on the other hand, automatically subjects a person without an ID as a terrorist. Once passed in the chambers of Congress, it becomes a real war machine against the peoples’ fundamental democratic rights. Those who dare to rise up against the unjust political and social system will become its easy prey.

The Cordillera peoples have had their share of violations, threats and abuses in relation to fundamental human and peoples’ rights. The CHRA has documented cases of summary execution, illegal arrest and detention, illegal searches, hundreds of houses demolished, all perpetrated by the military and police units.

As long as the character of the National Police and the Armed Forces as agents for state repression remains - the ATB and NID will only lead to escalation of human rights violations.

It is equally condemnable that the Arroyo government uses the recent bombings in Makati, Davao and General Santos City as pretexts to pass the bills to avoid criticism in its futility to combat terrorism. These bombings only clearly manifest the inefficiency and inability of the National Police, the Armed Forces and other concerned government agencies to deter and solve crimes despite bulging intelligence funds. The threats of destabilization plot against her already weak administration do not also serve as an excuse for the immediate passage of the ATB and the NID.

With the recent decision of the Supreme Court that the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 is constitutional, the Cordillera region is now up for grabs from big mining firms. The operation of mines will surely lead to various dislocations. At such, the Cordillera peoples will actively defend their territories from this incursion. This legitimate defense of land and life may be subject under the ATB as a terrorist act. The situation is further aggravated by the economic burden brought about by the controversial Value Added Tax (VAT).

At this time of economic discontent, the government should instead address the growing turmoil among the masses and institute genuine reform to uplift the economic conditions of the people.

Lest we have lost sight of the spirit of the People Power I that ousted the Marcos dictatorship, let us defend the gains of People Power I. Let us not allow the passage of the anti-terrorism bill, the national identification system and other similar repressive bills. #

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