Activists, Guingona ask SC to junk terror law

Opposition to the anti-terror law snowballed yesterday as more militant groups and activists including former vice president Teofisto Guingona asked the Supreme Court (SC) to repeal the measure, warning it could be used by the state to stifle political dissent.

In an 89-page petition for certiorari and prohibition and for a temporary restraining order, the opponents of the law warned that “the whole nation will turn into a police and military state as this ghastly creature of repression constantly gnaws at and ultimately devours hard-fought rights.”

The anti-terror law or the Human Security Act of 2007 became effective on July 15. The law allows the detention of suspected terrorist for three days without charges.

But Malacañang appeared unfazed by the legal challenge to the HSA. “That’s their call. Nothing would prevent them from doing that,” Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.

“These kinds of complaint cannot stop the implementation of the law,” he said. He stressed the SC would have the final say and that the government is just “doing what it thinks is right, including implementing the law.”

Despite protests, the government pushed through with its implementation, saying the law’s main targets are al-Qaeda-linked militants, rogue soldiers, and communist “terrorists.”

As a safeguard, law enforcement agencies are required to indemnify a suspected terrorist for P500,000 for each day of wrongful detention.

Aside from Guingona, the individual petitioners were National Artist Bienvendio Lumbera, Renato Constantino Jr., Sister Mary John Manansan (OSB), Dean Consuelo Paz, Josefina Lichauco, retired Col. Gerry Cunanan, film director Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Dr. Carolina Araullo, Renato Reyes Jr., Danilo Ramos, Emerenciana de Jesus, Rita Baua and Rey Claro Casambre.

Also listed as petitioners are the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Gabriela, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Movement of Concerned Citizens for Civil Liberties, COURAGE, Kadamay, Solidarity of Cavite Workers, League of Filipino Students, HEAD, Anakbayan, Pamalakaya, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Migrante and AGHAM.

Respondents in the case are President Arroyo and top officials including Ermita, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, and acting defense secretary and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales.

“The tangible effect and even true goal of the Arroyo administration in rushing the passage and implementation of the Act is seen by many not so much to crush terrorism but to suppress legitimate political dissent and remain in power,” they said.

The petitioners said the SC should “excise and exorcise” the anti-terror law, which they called “a bludgeon against fundamental, constitutionally-protected rights of individuals and the Filipino people as a whole.” – With Paolo Romero, Perseus Echeminada, AP