Terrorized. Councilor Angela Librado-Trinidad delivering a privilege speech at the City Council today denouncing the anti-terrorism bill that President Arroyo promised to sign. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)
In a privilege speech at the City Council today, Davao City Councilor Angging Librado expressed the fear that the recently passed Anti-Terrorism Bill might be used against local officials. “Deceptively titled the ‘Human Security Act of 2007,’ there is nothing more perilous than this draconian measure which is certain to curtail the rights of critics of the present administration, the rights of ordinary folks, and even the rights and privileges of local public officials like us,” the activist councilor told her colleagues.
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Privilege Speech of Councilor Angela Librado-Trinidad
February 13, 2007
Angging fears Anti-Terror Bill to be used vs. local officials
Let me express my fears on the recently approved Anti-Terrorism Bill by the bicameral conference committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Deceptively titled the Human Security Act of 2007, there is nothing more perilous than this draconian measure which is certain to curtail the rights of critics of the present administration, the rights of ordinary folks, and even the rights and privileges of local public officials like us.
Mr. President, a perusal in the bill adopted by the bicameral conference last February 8 would reveal the same vile and sweeping definition of terrorism, to include even murder, rebellion and kidnapping. Section 7 legalizes surveillance of suspects and interception and recording of communication. Section 27 provides a judicial authorization required to examine bank deposits, accounts and recordsa provision which Im afraid might even be used against me, if I am to be accused of being accessory to a terrorist, on account of my being left-leaning or espousing militant causes. Section 30 further allows freezing of bank accounts of suspects. Section 26 prohibits terror suspects–who have weak evidence against them and who may even be granted bail–to travel and they may also be placed under house arrest incommunicado. Sec. 29 provides that (I)n the event of an actual or imminent terrorist attack, suspects may not be detained for more than three days without the written approval of a. municipal, city, provincial official of a human rights commission or a judge. Section 53 mandates an Anti-Terrorism Council that will implement this law and whose members include the likes of executive secretary Eduardo Ermita, justice secretary Raul Gonzalez, and national security adviser Norberto Gonzales who were the brains behind a string of repressive measures like the Oplan Bantay Laya, Proclamation 1017 and calibrated preemptive response.
Mr. President, these provisions constitute blatant violations to our constitutional rights and freedoms. To live, speak, relate and assemble freelythese are sacred rights that are now being threatened with the Human Security Act of 2007. What Congress is set to approve on February 19 and 20 by way of a special session called for by Pres. Arroyo is a measure that rightly should be opposed by any self-respecting lawmaker and by any citizen who cherish his or her basic freedoms.
I urge my colleagues in this chamber to take a stand against the anti-terrorism bill and stand on the side of civil liberties. There is no stopping Malacanang and the military and police intelligence to use this law against us should we criticize and do our job as fiscalizers. More insidiously, there is no stopping Malacanang to legalize the current state of surveillance, harassment and killings of innocent advocates in the pretext of counter-insurgency. The families and colleagues of victims of political killings continue to cry for justice. To further legalize the undeclared martial law in our country through the Human Security Act of 2007 would, indeed, be the height of insecurity.###
Terrorism
