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Bicol Movement Against inHuman Security Act
UNITY STATEMENT Anti-Terrorism Act of
2007: Gloria Arroyo’s Recipe of Undeclared Martial Law
The Human Security Act of 2007 paves way on institutionalizing new face of
state terrorism. This is a sugarcoated euphemism of a law whose ulterior
motive is to preserve the present regime’s power. It also aims to further
suppress the people’s movement for national liberation and democracy and
the broad range of anti-fascist forces opposing the US-Arroyo regime,
including the opposition, dissenters, and the independent media, even
without declaring martial law.
This act has a lot of dangerous provisions which are threat to civil
liberties. As you can see the definition of terrorism under this law which
is an act of “sowing and creating a condition of widespread and
extraordinary fear and panic among the populace in order to coerce the
government to give in to an unlawful demand” will surely impair people’s
right to redress grievances.
Furthermore, the new law shall curtail and trample on the basic
constitutional rights such as the right to due process and presumption of
innocence for those to be suspected of “terrorism.” There may also be an
indefinite detention on the non-bailable charges of terrorism, the
freezing and confiscation of financial assets, the easy incrimination of
the so-called accomplices and accessories, the unlimited intrusions of
surveillance and family life, the oppressive restraints even on those
released on bail, extraordinary rendition and a lot more. Even the media,
a watchdog of the government and a servant of the people, is not to be
spared by the so-called Human Security Act.
In short, Arroyo’s own anti-terror campaign is, in itself, a form of
terrorism. It is, in fact, worst than Marcos’ martial law regime or any
other civilian rule under the Philippine Government.
In this light, Bicolanos must unite to prevent another worst form of
repression. People from media, church, academe, lawyers and other sectors
of the society are called to convene for one purpose, that is, “to defy
state terrorism.”
Bicol Movement Against inHuman Security Act is an alliance of individuals
and organization formed to lead the Bicolanos in the fight against this
repressive law. The movement believes that this act violates the
Philippine Constitution, the highest law of the land, and therefore, it
must be scrapped. Moreover, this act would only boost the increasing
number of human rights violations perpetrated by Arroyo’s administration.
We must use all available means to prevent the further trampling of our
rights and the imposition of an undeclared martial law. We have frustrated
this government’s previous attempts of institutionalizing repression
through “OPLAN Bantay Laya 1 & 2.” We have also defied the regime’s worst
forms of repression. Once again, lets join hands to oppose the rising
dictatorship of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Defy State Terrorism! Scrap Human Security Act!
Uphold Civil Liberties! Fight US-Arroyo’s Dictatiorship!
Bicol
Movement Against inHuman Security Act Open Letter (PDF)
Petition Letter / Signature
Campaign (PDF) CONVENORS:
Pastor. DAN BALUCIO
PCPR
TESSA LOPEZ
BAYAN
JOHN CONCEPCION
KARAPATAN
FELIX PAZ
KMP
ATTY. BART RAYCO
WILLY SALAZAR
NUJP
MICHAEL MALANO
BU Student Regent |