Brothers and sisters, in this time when many of us can’t understand how to rise above this difficulty we are facing —like the loss of livelihood, shortage of food, and apprehension about getting sick—Congress has passed a new measure to fight against terrorism. This is called the Anti-Terror Act of 2020.
The measure was hastily approved without any public discussion. And even if there are lawmakers disagreeing with the said bill because of provisions that arguably violate the Constitution, the majority of Congress prevailed in passing the bill after President Duterte certified it as urgent. If this is signed into law, anyone suspected of participating in planning or conducting activities considered by the new law as an act of terrorism may be arrested without a warrant and be detained for 14 days. Under the old law, Human Security Act of 2007, anyone arrested without a warrant may only be detained for three days. The new Anti-Terror Act can also permit wiretapping and monitoring of individuals or groups suspected to be involved in any terrorist act.
Many fear the possible abuse of this law by the authorities. The law may be used to instill fear and subdue legitimate expression of opinions and insight critical to the government. This kind of worry comes from the abuse that some of our fellowmen have experienced in the past. There is the bitter encounter of many of our fellow Filipinos in the war against drugs, where thousands of Filipinos, most of them poor, have fallen victims and were called out to have “retaliated” and thus killed. It is likely that the poor would again suffer because of their lack of capabilities to protect themselves. The fear is that they will become the victims of the possible instances of abuse under the new law.
What is the root of terrorism? Why are there people who encourage others to join such activities that seek to instill fear and cruelty? Shouldn’t we focus more on how to find solutions to this problem? In our country, it is noticeable that terrorism and cruelty are rampant in places without public services and unnoticed by the government. Loss of development and life are the conditions that manifest terrorism. This will also be accompanied by the loss of trust by the people on the government being fair, reasonable, and acting with compassion. And since the people think the government neglects them, they are pushed to take reckless measures to attain any of their ambitions.
If we try to find the proper solution to the issue of terrorism in the social teaching of the Church, we may discover it in the principle called integral development or the overall development of the people based on their innate dignity. Like the will and promise of God according to the letter of Saint Paul to the 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
If we focus on this problem of terrorism, the suffering and lack of development that served as embers that cause cruelty is what our government should address. In truth, our Church also teaches us that the systematic neglect of development and justice for many in society is one form of cruelty. This is considered a social sin.
Brothers and sisters, the eradication of cruelty caused by poverty, and caring for those denied their rights, are humane and Godly ways that government can do to deter terrorism, instead of focusing on the Anti-Terror Act. The government must focus its efforts on revitalizing the trust of the people on the law, instead of detaining, monitoring, and oppressing them for exercising their freedom of speech.
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Image credits: AP/Aaron Favila