Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Stress
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Something That Has Nothing To Do With Mancom
When the Senate voted on passing the Human Security Act on February 8, much speculation had erupted. Has the uniquely disguised Anti- Terrorism Act’s establishment brought us any benefit, or just more unfair practices and unnecessary power tripping? I certainly believe that the definition of terrorism is extremely vague. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines terrorism as “the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion.” Unfortunately, the parameters of which the word “terrorism” constitutes will still be determined by the Malacanang. It is in this regard that Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, with the full support of Malacanang, can use this new law as a method to quell whatever threat she may perceive to either the country, or even her administration. She has also come into terms with using phrases such as “destabilization plots” and actually using the law to simply “take care” of the so called “terrorists.”
The passing of the bill could be a good thing though. People may feel a lot more protected. The streets could be more secure. Bomb threats could be lessened, and perhaps our daily lives can would be a lot safer. It is just that like all good things, sacrifices and negative occurrences may arise. The predicaments that have come to my attention remind me of the Spanish and Marcos eras. It would not be uncommon for a simple fish ball vendor to be taken into a dark dim room in the middle of nowhere to be questioned regarding why he sold squid balls to an alleged drug lord. It would also be common that the military undergo several mobilizations in areas that the President feels is in a brink of “rebellion.” I have mixed emotions regarding the passing of the bill. First of all, yes I do believe that it is a complete necessity to our country. The rise of organized crime and international terrorism is in the brink of engulfing the entire world, not to leave out our own country. Also, several reports of us being targeted by the big time terrorists such as the Al Qaida organization has made me scared enough to simply accept any form of protection that the government can have for us. But just as I am happy, I have also become quite insecure of my surroundings. Perhaps the bill would benefit us, but I do hope that it would not reach a point that I would become involved in its misconducts. The scary stories of police taking in random people inside black vans as they walk in the street have sent shivers down my spine. Perhaps much of these are urban legends, but horrendous stories still. But do we not have the right to be silent? Do we not have the right to know why we are being questioned and detained by the authorities? If I have understood the law well, then I believe that this law has the capacity to remove this right of yours, scary and spine tingling indeed. Suspicion has also enveloped my mind as I have found out that the law is also being used to quell strikes. Is it not the people’s right to be heard and express what they feel?
Is Gloria using the law to protect our country’s safety? Or is she merely using it to protect her own seat of power in the