The Human Security Act of 2007 (Republic Act No. 9372) has been in effect since this last Sunday, July 15, 2007. Basically, this new law is designed to protect against acts of terrorism. The entire text of RA 9372 is posted in this blog.
As expected, this has been met with tons of criticism and controversy, especially from the opposition, the leftists, the activists, and the like.
Perhaps the most notable provisions of the new act includes (but is not limited to) the following:
SEC. 7. Surveillance of Suspects and Interception and Recording of Communications. (e.g. wiretapping)
SEC. 18. Period of Detention Without Judicial Warrant of Arrest. (aka. warrantless arrest)
EC. 27. Judicial Authorization Required to Examine Bank Deposits, Accounts, and Records.
So as of this moment, if you are already a suspected terrorist (take note, suspected, not confirmed yet), you can be wiretapped, arrested, and they can have a magnifying glass on all of your bank accounts.
Although we do need laws to protect us from terrorism, we may never know for certain if this is just a sweeter, a more pleasing-to-the-ears way of saying martial law.
The intention is good. However, you can't help but wonder if (or should I say when) this law can be abused. For one thing, who decides who the terrorists are? Who will "police" the "police"? (Hmm.. I see a similarity with the plot of the recently concluded "Civil War" in Marvel Comics -- you know, the one where Captain America died.)
The proponents included a provision stating that anyone falsely accused of being a terrorist will be given php500,000 per day of imprisonment. They say that this is supposed to prevent the abuse of this law. Got to ask: if the falsely accused person disappears, do they still have to pay php500,000 per day of imprisonment? :-)
I could go on and on about this, but I'd rather not; I don't want to cause any widespread and extraordinary fear and panic. :-)
The president approves swiftly laws that will promote her power. (She must have read the 48 Laws of Power!) Ah well. I told you to read that book!
Here's to hoping for the best. For progress. And, most especially, for peace.
Have you heard anything about G. Bush reserving the right to appoint the next president should there be an act of terror on , or about the Nov. 7 election this year?
ReplyDeleteSorry, I have been very busy these past few months so I was no longer "in the loop".
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this one before. If that is in the US Constitution, then, politically speaking, it's his right/privilege. Whatever the case, I'm sure there are groups who will make a stand against this, whether that is in their constitution or not.
If I remember correctly, he did something similar already, although this one is in Iraq; after capturing Iraq, the US gov't appointed the new president or prime minister (not sure how the head of state is called there).