NEWS AT A GLANCE
National ID system a major setback for civil liberties - Bayan
The impending
implementation of the National ID System after a Supreme Court ruling
upholding its constitutionality will be a major setback for civil
liberties according Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general
Renato M. Reyes, Jr, one of the petitioners in the Supreme Court case.
"In a time when civil
liberties are already bludgeoned by so many repressive measures, pushing
through with the ID system is a dangerous proposition. The administration
is not exactly a model of respect for human rights. It is not an
exaggeration to say that the ID system can be abused under this
government," Bayan's Reyes said.
Bayan disputed claims
by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita that the ID system will only cover
government employees.
"The ID system is a
form of population control. Vital information is compiled for the purpose
of closely monitoring and, when deemed necessary, placing restrictions on
the movements, activities and transactions of individuals covered by the
system. It will cover government employees today but there is nothing to
prevent government from using the ID system on everyone," Reyes said.
Reyes said that the
ID system can in the future become a requisite for all transactions with
government offices. "And since many people need to transact with
government, they have no choice but to acquire the multi-purpose ID. They
can be compelled in the future. The administration is just testing the
waters now with this limited implementation," Reyes warned.
Bayan agreed with the
dissenting opinion of Justice Consuel Santiago that there are no
assurances that abuses of the ID system will not happen.
Bulatlat
***
Militants hit Gonzales for reducing charges vs. 3 U.S. Marines
The militant Bagong
Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) hit Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales for
reducing the charges against three of the four U.S. Marines accused of
raping a 22-year-old Filipina in November last year.
In an interview with
reporters in his office at the Department of Justice (DOJ), Gonzalez said
he would have dismissed the cases against US Marine Lance Corporals Keith
Silkwood and Dominic Duplantis and Staff Sergeant Chad Carpentier if not
for mob rule.
The DOJ stated the
three U.S. Marines would only be charged as accessories to the rape case.
Only Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith will remain as the principal suspect.
"Gonzales' statement
is tantamount to absolving Smith too,” Bayan chairperson Carol Araullo
said. “Smith, the principal suspect, claims that he had consensual sex
with the victim. If the three were not part of the conspiracy to commit
rape, as DOJ believes, then they could say that they were just watching
Smith and the victim having consensual sex. Gonzales is in effect
weakening the case against the four U.S. Marines."
In an interview over
DZMM, Evelyn Ursua, lawyer of the victim, said there was a clear evidence
of gang rape.
"The Subic rape case
is not a mere rape case as Gonzales and even Ignacio Bunye would like the
public to believe,” Araullo said. This case is a testimony to the
loopholes of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). This case is a testimony
to the continuing subservience of the Philippine government to the U.S.
government."
"Secretary Gonzales
is doing injustice not only to the 22-year old rape victim but to the
Filipino people who have long been held captive by the U.S. government's
arrogance and oppression," Araullo added.
Reacting to Ursua's
plan of elevating the case to the Office of the President, Araullo said,
"It would be very interesting to know what Arroyo would say about the
case. Her statement on this could be another political explosive."
Bulatlat
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