Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manila (Agenzia Fides) - To protect innocent persons, safeguard the human rights and freedoms of every citizen, prevent abuse by police: in this spirit the Catholic Bishops of the Philippines have criticised a new anti-terrorism law, promulgated in March this year by President Gloria Arroyo and in force since 15 July. The Bishops expressed perplexity with regard to measures which violate and curtail civil rights and freedoms in the name of the war on terrorism.
Some observers liken the law to the martial law in the sad times of dictator Marcos. The new law allows the police to intercept and record conversations and to arrest suspects without a mandate. Many are asking on the basis of what criteria will people be labelled “suspected terrorist”: the fear is that the law may easily be exploited for intimidation. Innocent people may be arrested, rights trampled and fear and insecurity could grow.
President Arroyo stated: “With this law at last we have the instrument to combat insurgents, whether Communist or Islamic, particularly the possibility to cut off their financial income”. Various human rights groups say that with the new law the most blood thirsty fringes of the national army will be able to kill or intimidate in total impunity.
The Bishops' Conference joined other critical voices to call for a revision of the law. Following a plenary assembly in Manila, the Bishops pointed out that the definition terrorist activity” present in the text “was too broad and allows the government to include all sorts of things”. Furthermore the president of the Philippines Bishops' Conference Bishop Angel Lagdameo warned that "bad" wording in the law could lead to “serious injustices ”, and he called for immediate corrections to be made. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 26/7/2007 righe 27 parole 278)
