HSA, draconian or watered-down?
Dan MarianoObjection to the unfortunately named Human Security Act of 2007 is spearheaded by groups and personalities identified with the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing New People’s Army.
Yet, the CPP, the NPA and the communist-led National Democratic Front are not proscribed by the Antiterrorism Council. Not yet, anyway.
Administration officials—including those who habitually refer to communists as “terrorists” or “CTs”—claim that the new security law focuses on Islamist extremists such as the Abu Sayyaf Group and its Southeast Asian uberkomando, the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah.
But HSA critics, such as Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, insist that all this is “just a ploy” to get the CPP-NPA-NDF to agree to a ceasefire.
In a recent interview with a Manila daily, the former NDF official said: “They have a hidden agenda: First they would say the CPP-NDF-NPA is not [on] the terror list so the peace negotiations can resume. Then if the rebels reject the government’s call for a ceasefire accord, they would use that to recommend the group’s inclusion in the forthcoming terror list.”
Why Ocampo and company oppose a cessation of hostilities was not explained in the published report. But going by the vehemence of the leftists’ objection to HSA, they seem pretty sure that they too would soon suffer proscription by the ATC.
Paper tiger
While the Left brands HSA as draconian, other quarters regard it as a “paper tiger.”
For one, Sorsogon Rep. Jose Solis, chairman of the House Committee on Defense, bewails how the bill he helped pass has been “watered down” by the bicameral conference committee.
One section would penalize authorities who wrongfully arrest terrorist suspects with a fine of P500,000 for each and every day the suspect is kept in detention. Solis fears this provision would discourage law enforcers from conducting operations against suspected terrorists.
Speaking at the Kapihan sa Sulô media forum Saturday, Solis vowed to press for the HSA’s “immediate amendment.” His proposal would incorporate features of the repealed Anti-Subversion Act of 1957 (Republic Act 1700) and the Marcos-era Presidential Decree 885.
If you think HSA is bad, watch out for what the likes of Solis are cooking up.
By the way, Solis is one of the most enthusiastic cheerleaders for Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia who is aiming to replace Jose de Venecia Jr. as Speaker.
Soldier’s soldier
At the Kapihan, too, Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano confirmed that he has yet to receive official communication proscribing the CPP-NPA-NDF and its “fronts” as terrorist organizations.
He did say that the bulk of the operations of the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) under his command are directed at communist insurgents.
Which ever way the ATC’s verdict on the communists goes, Yano said: “We are not policymakers. We will simply undertake whatever policy the state adopts.” Spoken like a true military professional.
Yano is, in fact, one of four names on a short list of prospective replacements for Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, who is due to retire as commanding general of the Philippine Army.
Observers agree that Yano and the three other generals are all worthy successors to Tolentino. However, the Solcom chief seems to have the edge given his reputation as, columnist Alvin Capino of Manila Standard TODAY put it, a “soldier’s soldier.”
A member of Class 1976 of the Philippine Military Academy, Yano has served in numerous field and staff capacities. His combat experiences from Luzon to Mindanao have turned him into a well-rounded military tactician and administrative strategist.
Yano’s current assignment as Solcom chief seems tailor-fit as launching pad for even bigger responsibilities.
Solcom’s jurisdiction covers 15 provinces with a combined population of 18 million, a veritable microcosm of the entire country.
Its difficult and far-flung terrain has for decades made it a favorite base of operations for insurgents—although Yano and his men have managed to restrict the NPA’s movements to small units in remote, mountain barangays.
Just as important, Solcom’s jurisdiction contains an industrial base. That this highly urbanized area continues to generate up to 20 percent of the national gross domestic product provides favorable testimony to the ability of Yano and his men to secure their area of responsibility.
Yano as commanding general of the Philippine Army? Why not?
