This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. VI, No. 11, April 23-29, 2006
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.
***
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."
© 2006 Bulatlat
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