Human Security Act

The fight against the Human Security Act or the Anti-Terrorism Law is not yet over. Today, I, together with the leadership of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), the Counsels for the Defense of Civil Liberties (CODAL), and former Senators Serge Osmena and Wigberto Tanada are filing a petition in the Supreme Court to nullify the Human Security Act.

Kahit ang pamunuan ng IBP at CODAL ay naniniwala na mapanupil ang batas na ito at ito ay dapat lang ibasura. Naniniwala din kami na ang Supreme Court ay kaisa naming sa kaisipan na ang batas na ito ay unconstitutional at labag sa karapatang pantao.

Ang Human Security Act ay isang kamay na bakal na ang makikinabang lamang ay si Gloria Arroyo. Walang mapapala ang taong bayan dito kundi paghihirap.

We should not allow ourselves to live in an environment of fear and abuses. Enforcing the Human Security Act is a license to kill and commit more human rights abuses, in the guise of fighting terrorism.

My filing of this petition together with the lawyer's groups is consistent with my earlier stand when I voted "No" against the Human Security Act in the Senate and when I filed a complaint against it before the United Nations' High Commission on Human Rights through the Special Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights.

I have filed this petition as well since I believe that, as a member of the legitimate opposition I am now being subjected to surveillance and wire- tapping, under the false pretenses of implementing the Human Security Act. ###