Presented to the Faculty of College of Arts and Sciences

THE PERCEIVED EFFECT OF HUMAN SECURITY ACT OF 2007 AS VIEWED BY SELECTED NURSING STUDENTS OF MANUELS.ENVERGA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, SCHOOL YEAR 2007 - 2008

A Term Paper

Presented to the Faculty of College of Arts and Sciences

Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation

Lucena City

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the degree of Bachelor of Nursing

By

MERCEDES M. MELINAS

July 2007

CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Introduction

During the Marcos regime, the military was politicized and used to sustain his power. This set a precedent of military influence that has continued to be a destabilizing factor in Philippine politics and government.

However, our history is a narration of struggle of the Filipino people for our emancipation and the struggle for real unity. The most popular one that gave birth to our constitution is EDSA 1 or "People Power" against the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos., a symbol of our undying love for democracy and liberation.

The Philippines is a democratic republic governed under a 1987 constitution. This constitution is modeled on the commonwealth constitution of 1935 that set up a system of government similar to that of the United States. It includes many restrictions on term lengths and presidential powers as a way to safeguard against authoritarian rule. All Philippine citizens age 18 or older may vote. (Encarta, 2005)

Background of the Study

Today, in spite the government's formal recognition of fundamental and democratic rights, violation of human rights is a norm. Last March 6 (2007), President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed House Bill 4839 titled "An Act Defining Terrorism, Establishing Institutional Mechanisms To Prevent And Suppress Its Commission, Providing Penalties Therefore And For Other Purposes", also known as the Human Security Act of 2007. It is scheduled to take effect this coming July 15, exactly two months after the May elections.

Based on its declaration of policies, Sec. 2 states that

"it is the declared policy of the state to protect life, liberty and property form acts of terrorism, to condemn terrorism as inimical and dangerous to the national security of the country and the welfare of the people, and to make terrorism a crime against the Filipino people, against humanity, and against the law of nations."

The legislation of Human Security Act of 2007 comes in response to the Philippine government's ongoing struggle with Islamist separatists and communist rebels, both of whom have used terror tactics [CFR Q/A]; in 2004, the Abu Sayyaf Group [BBC backgrounder] bombed a ferry in Manila Bay, killing some 130 passengers. (Jurist Report, June 2007)

As expected, this law is criticized and opposed by many legislators and oppositionists, even the United Nation itself. Senator Jamby Madrigal stated on a TV interview dated March 7, 2007 that the said law is "a license to kill" and this is "a dark day for all filipinos," with malacañang's signing of the anti-terrorism bill into law.

Madrigal further said that, "With the signing of this draconian law, Mrs. Arroyo has arrogated unto herself the powers of a dictator to punish her enemies by branding them as terrorists."

Furthermore, Leftist organizations have likewise expressed fears that the law, ratified by Congress last month, will result into "widespread political killings and violate people's right to privacy, movement, security of person and political affiliation."

As it is, the presence of soldiers in urban poor communities in Metro Manila have led to the harassment of "suspected communist sympathizers," left-leaning groups say. The deployment of troops, they claim, is in preparation of the anti-terrorism law, which will take effect in June, after the elections.

Gabriela party-list Rep. Liza Maza also described the signing of the bill a "virtual declaration of martial law." Maza has consistently opposed the measure despite the safeguards placed in the Senate version. Meanwhile, Arroyo said "law abiding Filipinos