Rights advocates in more peril under proposed terror law amendments

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Francis Pangilinan on Thursday slammed the resurrection of perjury charges against human rights workers and advocates, saying that the proposed amendments to the Human Security Act of 2007 would put such personalities in more danger.

According to Pangilinan, the revival of the dismissed perjury raps against progressive groups Karapatan and Gabriela officials shows how people in power tend to use their might, just to pursue people fighting for the marginalized sector.

“Muli nating nakikita ngayon ang lakas ng mga Goliath na ginagamit ang lahat ng sandata, kabilang ang batas, laban sa maliliit na David ng ating lipunan,” the Senator said in a statement.

(We are again seeing the strength of the Goliaths who are using all their weapons, including the law, against the small Davids of our society.)

“Sa napipintong mga amyenda sa Human Security Act na pinapahaba ang panahong ng pagkakakulong nang walang kasong isinasampa at pinapayagan ang pag-aresto nang walang warrant, nanganganib ang mga human rights defender, aktibista, at ordinaryong mamamayan sa mga paglabag sa mismong pinaglalabang mga karapatan,” he added.

(With the impending amendment of the Human Security Act which lengthens the prescription period for detained individuals before authorities can file a case, and which allows warrantless arrest, human rights defenders, activists, and ordinary folks are put in more danger from the law which have they have been fighting for.)

In the Senate, the Anti-Terrorism Act has been approved in the third and final reading. However, hearings about the House of Representatives’ version of the bill have been delayed due to the concerns from human rights groups and activists.

READ: Rights concerns force House panel to delay adoption of anti-terror bills

Recently, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. filed a motion for reconsideration for the perjury charges against the progressive groups facing the case in 2019.  The group members, including Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay, was accused of acting in conspiracy and malice.

“Sadyang nakakapanuya, kung di man nakakapangilabot, na matapos matanggihan sa hinihinging proteksyon mula sa korte, kinakaharap naman ngayon ng isang grupo ng mga aktibista at human rights defenders ang kasong perjury na isinampa ng matataas na security official ng bansa,” Pangilinan explained.

(It is really revolting that after they were denied protection from the court, a group of activists and human rights defenders are now facing perjury charges that were filed by a high-ranking security official of the country.)

Palabay, who is abroad for an advocacy work with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), said that the actions of Esperon — who is also part of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict — proves of the shrinking space to free speech and dissent.

“This malicious, baseless and utterly absurd perjury charge is yet another proof of the closing civic and democratic space in the Philippines,” Palabay said on Wednesday.

“It is ironic that this case has been revived from its earlier dismissal, amid Karapatan’s continuing advocacy work in the Philippines and at the UNHRC and our persistent efforts to pursue a just and lasting peace,” she added.

READ: Esperon to revive perjury charges against progressive groups

Pangilinan called on the courts to give the activists the due process “that they deserve.”

“Masyadong nagiging madali para masama sa order of battle ng militar para sa pagpapahayag ng pagtutol. We call on the courts to be most judicious in ruling on the case of the activists and to accord them due process that they deserve,” he said.

(It is becoming easy for people criticizing the government to be included in the military’s order of battle.  We call on the courts to be most judicious in ruling on the case of the activists and to accord them due process that they deserve.)

EDV