Cops still in the dark re HSA

WE CLOSELY monitored how the daily debate/tit-for-tat on the Human Security Act (HSA) would unfold on broadcast and print media. We chose to reserve our reaction because we were already satisfied with the comments of the anti-HSA groups and individuals--comments which we believed already represented the views and sentiments of the state-terrorism survivors-turned-political detainees, like us.

Not until we read the answer of Ricardo Blancaflor (undersecretary of the Department of National Defense, and spokesperson of the Anti-Terrorism Council or ATC) to the position of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) on the HSA (Inquirer, 07/29/07).

The DND official's rhetorical counterposition raised alarming questions: Is the ATC deliberately misleading the people as to what the HSA is all about? If the HSA is indeed meant to protect the people against terrorism, why is it that Blancaflor's statement added to the confusion instead of enlightening ordinary citizens? The antiterrorism law may look good on paper as it pretends to protect the basic rights of suspected terrorists. But in the hands of hardened torturers and corrupt law enforcers, the law will only lead to more nightmarish human rights violations.

Of course, we strongly support FLAG's position (Inquirer, 07/15/07) on the HSA. Survivors and witnesses of state terrorism like us, who have gone through hell--and continue to live as if we're in hell--under police and military custody (after they abducted us without a warrant of arrest and on mere suspicion that we were communist guerrillas) will never believe that the government is capable of implementing the HSA without violating the rights of people--be they real terrorists or 
merely civilian suspects.

Our ordeal is only a prelude to the abuses that will be committed in the name of the HSA. Evidence was planted to incriminate us on a trumped-up rebellion charge, while our personal money and funds for R & D projects were confiscated. Our abductors can no longer account for them.
There is, however, a "bright side" to the HSA. If it were already in effect when we were abducted last year, we would by now be entitled to billions of pesos from the government, considering that the law mandates a P500,000 compensation for each day of illegal detention.

The ATC has also announced that it has conducted a nationwide education campaign for the HSA and, thus, it is well-prepared to implement the law. The fact is here at Camp Vicente Lim, the police officers, when we ask them about the HSA, can only answer: "Hindi namin alam 'yan (We don't know anything about that)," "Wala pang memo sa taas (No memo from the top on that)," "Di pa kami nasabihan (We haven't been told)," and worst, "Ano 'yun? (What's that?)"

Now, will Mr. Blancaflor please explain to the Filipino people why this is so?--AXEL PINPIN, Tagaytay 5, Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba City 0920, axel_behindbars@yahoo.com.ph