The proposed amendments to the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007 pending at the House of Representatives is tantamount to “undeclared but legislated nationwide martial law,” Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Elago warned on Monday.
The amendments were introduced by Pangasinan Rep. Amado Espino, Jr., a former company commander of the Philippine Constabulary.
The House committees on public order and safety and national defense and security are also conducting a technical working group (TWG) meeting on the draft substitute bill to House Bills 7141 and 5507, which seeks to amend Republic Act 9372, the country’s anti-terror law.
The House committees on public order and safety and national defense and security are also set to conduct a technical working group meeting on the proposed amendments to the Human Security Act of 2007.
— Path Roxas (@PathRoxasINQ) June 25, 2018
READ: House no longer seeking death penalty for violations of anti-terror law
Simultaneous with the TWG meeting, youth groups and other sectors held a picket protest in front of the House of Representatives to condemn the proposed changes.
Simultaneous with the TWG meeting, militant groups and other sectors also protest in front of the House of Representatives to condemn the draft amendments to RA 9372 or the Human Security Act. (Photo from Anakpawis party-list) pic.twitter.com/5dFh18c6qG
— Path Roxas (@PathRoxasINQ) June 25, 2018
“Duterte’s new and insidious tactic is to normalize the atmosphere of martial law — through legislation, through his casual cursing in front of national television, through the conscious effort to desensitize the people of the bloodshed and killings. This new and insidious tactic is to implement nationwide martial law without having to go through the legal requisites of making a formal declaration,” Elago said in a statement.
The opposition lawmaker noted that during its first implementation, the HSA has led to a more emboldened state —administration after administration — to tag activists, dissenters, human rights advocates as terrorists.
An overview of the proposed amendments to the Human Security Act of 2007 (from Kabataan party-list). pic.twitter.com/qnjn18skyG
— Path Roxas (@PathRoxasINQ) June 25, 2018
It “demonizes criticism, hails subservience to the oppressive status quo, and promotes passivity in times of political and economic crises,” Elago stressed.
She also said in the proposed amendments, the “already over broad definition of terrorism” is transformed into a “catch-all” definition for dissenters and critics.
Primarily, the phrase “thereby sowing and creating a condition of widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the populace, in order to coerce the government to give in to an unlawful demand” has been deleted.
It also included as a predicate crime “any other act” not even necessarily penalized under the Revised Penal Code.
“This means that a simple workers’ strike, street parties, or flash mobs can be considered as terrorism,” Elago explained.
“The Duterte administration is drawing all cards against the people. With this power provided in the law, the Duterte administration will no longer have to bother with a nationwide declaration of martial law; the law itself provides for perpetual military rule,” the youth solon warned. /vvp