This week, we'll zero in on the "power of blogging" by tackling a specific issue that is of national interest.
As Filipino citizens and junior/senior students of the University of the Philippines Baguio, what are your thoughts on the Human Security Act of 2007 which took effect last Sunday, 15 July 2007?
If you are not familiar with this issue, please read about it and discuss it even with other people so you can have an informed opinion. A copy of the law is available at www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/ra%209372.pdf
Limit your comment to a maximum of 50 words . Deadline is Friday, 20 July 2007, 3:00 pm.
And don't forget to get your reading about bloggers in Zimbabwe at the photocopy center of the library.
See you in class on Tuesday!
21 comments:
Leslie Hayzel R. Tagala Journalism 113
(July 19, 2007)
On my opinion, the Human Security Act of 2007 (R.A. no. 9372) known as an act to secure the state and protect people from terrorism is like a wolf in a sheep’s clothing. Because though R.A. 9372 shows things that can protect the people against terrorism, there is an issue about human rights violations if you analyze more the said act.
I raised that issue, because it always catch my attention these words in the act:
“Any person charged suspected, conspiracy to commit terrorism...”
This phrase gave me a conclusion that the government is paranoid against terrorism, because even those people who are suspected or can be innocent are included to be wiretapped and inspected by the police.
Another thing that catches my attention is the inspection of bank accounts of the terrorist or some “so-called (suspected) terrorist, which I can not understand the connection to terrorism for the act does not explained it further.
And lastly, there is a human rights violation, because persons who are engage in terrorism have no parole and no right to bail. Though those persons practice very wrong acts, they are still human beings and deserve chances to correct what they have done.
Those people who implemented that Human Security Act 2007 should understand that they are not gods and goddesses who hold the destiny and life of their co-human beings. They should also consider their selves that they are also ordinary human beings like the persons they are charging of terrorism.
I am in favor of the law because of the following reasons:
1. I think it is a must to protect life from such crimes because nobody has the right to take it away except GOD. Also, I see this law beneficial for some of the victims' families.
2. This law is also helpful to maintain the country's national security.
for me, it's good that our government created a law regarding the act of terrorism. At least, we, as a filipino citizen can say that we can be protected by this new law. But i can see a problem here. Because according to the HSA, an act of committing rebellion and coup d'etat is also considered as violating this new law. what can i say about this is maybe, the government passed this law to monitor the oppositions and not really the "terrorrists" primarily.
I think the definition is too vague and that it actually puts some human rights activists as terrorists. It kinda makes choosing which are the real bad guys--the government. if this vaguity is used by abusive auhorities, who knows what they'll be able to do.
By any means, the government will try its best to shut up all its critics. With its vague and poor definition of terrorism, dissension and protest can be regarded as a form of terrorism. The law is not clear. And it can be enforced arbitrarily depending on the definition of the government of what an ‘act of terror’ is. --eric
i think this is just a ploy made by PGMA to ensure her seat as president especially after the results of the national elections revealed that people want the opposition to "overthrow" the government. she has not declared martial law, but it sure feels like it.
I can see that the government's desire is for public security. However, if it will be used by corrupt officials in the wrong way, then it will surely result to chaos. Well, things work for the best if used the right way and things work the other way if used the wrong way.
The Human Security Act could prevent or curtail terrorism especially in Mindanao where violence has been wreaking havoc for decades. However, with government’s inaction on human rights violations, abuse of power, and the HSA’s “loose teeth”, the law’s promised protection would be a big irony – no security at all.
Innocent people died because of terrorist attacks,Rizal Day bombing was a proof.
Presently, I'm pro-HSA, provided that the law is strictly enforced and the government surely assure and ensures the protection of human rights.
If we are law abiding Filipinos we have nothing to fear for it is a weapon against terrorists and not protesters.
By: Paola Zinnia Sager
The Human Security Act of 2007 which took effect last Sunday is a sign of the strictness and/or aggressiveness that the government will be imposing on the Filipino people from now on. I understand that President Arroyo just thought for the peace and order of the country, and is troubled of the possible terrorism, but how about the corrupt officials in the government who might abuse their power and take away the rights of the people. We are all aware of these public officials who use their positions step on our little countrymen. How can we call this a free society if the people who will express their criticisms upon the government might immediately be charged of terrorism?
For me, its another law that we all have to follow. I dont think this is something to be alarmed about. After all, the government has an aim to stop terrorism and its for our own good.
Ma.Eudora C. Ng
The RA 9372,HSA 2007, for me, causes more fear and panic to citizens. Anybody who are caught or observed as suspicious will be detained for hours even without further investigation or strong evidences.I think the administration is only trying to legitimize its actions to go after its critics.
I believe that the Human Security Act of 2007 is not made to ensure nation’s security but was made for the government’s personal motives. With this law, they can strengthen their power, to remain in position, and manipulate people, most especially those are against with them.
jatfie nasarro
It is not necessary becuase terrorism is not abig threat in the country. The law itself will create terror among the people because it can spy you although you are not a terrorist, like the media. Its guidelines must be clear. It should explain well to the people. The omplementing body must be honest about it. Due to that law, aome will take advantage because of the P500,000.00 that will be given to detained suspected terrorists who are proven innocent.
Good to hear your thoughts. Majority seem to be wary about the new law and only a few are optimistic about the intent behind it. Whichever way you stand, the important thing is to stay vigilant. Our government and its armed forces can only prove to be as abusive as we will allow it. Stay informed!
There seems to be some technical glitch. This comment came in this morning but the site refuses to publish it. I'm just copying and pasting them here:
FROM hanley red p. escoria:
Regarding the human security act of 2007, for me being a student would provide an "assurance" from the government that every individual within our country would be safe from all terroristic acts of some groups.
I do hope that after the release of the act, Filipinos would walk even at night with no feelings of being paranoid to harm and crimes.
TO THUSHARA NAVIMANA:
I'M POSTING YOUR COMMENT HERE WHICH CAME IN THIS MORNING EVEN IF YOU DID NOT FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURE AGAIN! WHY DID YOU SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER IN A WORD FILE INSTEAD OF DIRECTLY POSTING YOUR COMMENT?
Though it was clearly defined in the human security act or the anti-terror law that the act is not a curtailment of the freedom for everybody, I still believe that I so un-humane. Being a journalism student and a media practitioner someday, it is so alarming to know that such law will be imposed. Since the law legalizes wiretapping, the freedom of the people to freely and privately communicate with others will be curtailed. On the same hand, the freedom of the press to report and publicize to any information relevant to the public will also be curtailed because of the implementation of the law.
Comments sent after this post will still be published but will no longer be considered for grading.
From Carla Myriel Dumo:
I think in its totality, the HSA2007 has a good potential to become a sturdy law against the fight on terrorism. However, the only thing that I don't agree with is the fact that there is a section wherein it becomes possible for the government to listen in on private conversations.
From Sheba Espino:
I believe that the republic act or HSA2007 is irrelevant because our government is inefficient in implementing the law itself. In my opinion, the law was done by the lawmakers in order for the Filipinos to feel a sense of security in the Philippines although it is far from reality.
First of all, I do believe that the said law is a leap to ultimate persecution of the democracy, the government I think; is paranoid and is only power-centric. It has implemented the law because it can no longer take the rising truth that people are no longer passive, thus the people react on the leadership. So the government coined the term terrorism, upon the act. 'People need security from the terror that the government is creating'( HSA, can persecute each sector,it can be a tool in violation of human rights, specifically in terms of privacy and free discussion---)
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