Thursday, July 06, 2006
Opposition senators impose conditions to backing anti-terror bill
SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. on Wednesday said the opposition bloc in the Senate will only support the anti-terrorism bill certified as urgent by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should authorities show determination and sincerity in addressing extrajudicial killings and illegal arrest of individuals critical to the government.
"Even as some of us recognize the need to adopt a new law to combat terrorism, we also believe that the rights of our people must never be sacrificed in the name of the fight against terrorism," he added.
Pimentel said the opposition bloc will scrutinize the anti-terrorism bill and ensure that safeguards will be incorporated to protect the rights of the people against possible abuse of power by law enforcement agencies that will implement the measure.
"We cannot fight terrorism by using terror methods. It is important that even as we commit to eliminate the scourge of terrorism, we do not use terrorism methods to do so. Democracy has an adequate arsenal to combat terrorism according to the rule of law and the Constitution. That is what we, in the opposition, wish to do," he said.
Pimentel said the spate of extrajudicial killings and escalating human rights violations allegedly committed by the military and the police have prompted opposition senators to think twice about supporting the bill.
He cited, in particular, the case of the five supporters of former President Joseph Estrada who were allegedly abducted and tortured by Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Isafp) agents.
Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, sponsor of the anti-terro bill in the Senate, is confident they will be able to approve the proposed measure in August saying earlier there is no major resistance to its passage.
He allayed fears that the anti-terror bill will pave the way for abuses on the part of law enforcement. (REC/Sunnex)
(July 6, 2006 issue)
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