CBCP urges review of anti-terrorism law

manila bulletin

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV2007071397710.html

By DANNY FAJARDO

CEBU CITY — Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo yesterday urged the government to thoroughly review Republic Act 9372, the anti-terrorism law or the Human Security Act of 2007, before its implementation this month.

Lagdameo warned of a "widespread panic" in connection with the signing into law of RA 9372 by President Arroyo.

"Many lawyers find the definition of terrorism in Section 3 of the Act as broad and dangerous which will only serve and create a condition of widespread panic," the CBCP president said in a statement.

Arroyo signed into law RA 9372 last March 6, 2007, which aims to "bolster" the government’s drive to "protect from terrorism life, liberty and property" in the country.

The President believes that implementing this measure will help "further stabilize conditions" nationwide so the country can bolster its bid to attract more job-generating investments.

Aside from condemning terrorist acts as inimical to the nation’s security and welfare, the law will also criminalize such activities.

Lagdameo said Filipinos are in pursuit of peace as they strongly condemned terrorism as "a glaring obstacle to peace."

"Many voices are apprehensive about this law on the basis of constitutionality and provisions that may legalize objectionable methods of fighting and quelling opposition to the obtaining government," said Lagdameo.

Lagdameo said that various calls were made questioning the Human Security Act and even threatened to raise the matter to the Supreme Court for further review and study.

The CBCP president said that some sections have caused lawyers and others to question the effectiveness of the law.

Lagdameo cited Section 26 which allows house arrest despite the posting of bail, prohibits one the right to travel and to communicate with others.

He added that provision for seizure of assets contained in Section 39 and surveillance or wiretapping of suspects in Section 7, and investigation of bank deposits and other assets in Section 28 "raise up many eyebrows of lawyers and others."

"Since we as pastors have to look more into the morality of this law and make a pronouncement in that level, we feel that the atmosphere created by this law and its impending implementations call on us to appeal to those concerned to review this law so that in consultation and dialogue we may have a law that is truly relevant in promoting the security of the nation and in the pursuit of authentic peace," Lagdameo said.