Babe's Eye View article

How many more beheadings must we hear about before everyone is convinced that we are dealing with savage animals? Terrorists and rebel groups have been hiding under the cloak of ideology for so long to disguise their criminal intentions. But this latest barbaric act—as well as past atrocities committed by these monstrous creatures—only goes to show that the Human Security Act is a bill that is certainly long overdue.

The problem with this country is that people have a short memory. It's only been six years since the Dos Palmas kidnapping of 20 people including Martin and Gracia Burnham, and Guillermo Sobero who was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf.

Let's not forget the billions lost in tourism revenues at the height of the ASG's kidnapping spree. Even the CBCP seems to have forgotten that Fr. Rhoel Gallardo was beheaded by these barbarians. Teachers were murdered and raped, a hospital was attacked, and numerous atrocities were committed like the Super Ferry bombing and the Valentine's Day blast in Makati.

While the terrorist group was dealt a great blow with the death of Abu Solaiman and Khadaffy Janjalani, there are still many who continue to murder even innocent civilians. And no matter how much the MILF denies it, there is every reason to believe it has been coddling Abu Sayyaf renegades and giving sanctuary to Jemaah Islamiyah operatives.

Terrorists have given this country the worst ever image in its history with the Philippines tagged a terrorist haven. The kidnapping of Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi and the beheading of the Philippine marines—a brutal act whichever way you look at it—is giving us prominent international news coverage but once again, for all the wrong reasons.

Tourists especially Americans are scared of coming here. Donald Trump's business associate Barry Akrongold (a New York-based real estate CEO who has become an email pal because of his $4,000 donation to Golden Acres after reading Pinky Tobiano's touching story in People Asia) finds Filipinos a caring people, and wants to look at potential investments here.

Just the other day, I received an email from Donald Trump expressing his desire to come to the Philippines. Both Mr. Akrongold and Mr. Trump have been wanting to visit but what's been holding them back is the travel advisory warning Americans against going to the Philippines.

The foiled attempt to bomb London and the discovery of a suicidal attack on Glasgow airport in Scotland shows that terrorists are becoming bolder and more vicious. Suspects included a doctor, underscoring the fact that it is getting difficult to identify who could be a likely terrorist. The nature of terrorism has changed. It has become a global threat, and reports of al-Qaeda-linked terrorists using Mindanao as a training ground puts the Philippines right on the spot.

These are dangerous times which call for strong measures—yet the Human Security Act is by no means a law with strong enough teeth compared to the UK's Prevention of Terrorism Act. The UK bill which was in response to the July 2005 London bombings allows detention of suspects for 28 days without charges, but it originally had a 90-day detention proposal because police believe they needed that much time to break down suspects and prevent further terrorist attempts.

The USA Patriot Act which was passed without any fuss barely a month after the 9-11 attack gives US authorities more teeth in the fight against terrorism. The US may be considered a police state but many Americans would rather live with stricter laws giving them a greater sense of security, than have their very lives threatened by terrorism. Human rights activists and civil libertarians are a very small minority compared to those who are more concerned about protecting themselves. One can't certainly blame Americans for wanting to tighten their borders and cutting down the number of immigrants.

A new CIA intelligence report shows a resurgence of the al-Qaeda network's strength close to its pre-9/11 level. The terrorists have more money, and are operating in remote areas in Pakistan. In fact, an al-Qaeda operative was openly quoted as saying the Iraq war was a "gift" since it gave them special training on the conduct of urban warfare. A security briefing was held at the White House the other day specifically to discuss the al-Qaeda threat level. Experts have also warned about heightened terrorist attacks especially during the summer months where tourism is at its height in the US.

Some people including CBCP bishops are concerned that the HSA—the original version of which has been watered down—could threaten the security and rights of Filipinos. But at the end of the day, there should be no ifs or buts about it—we must implement the Human Security Act today, not tomorrow or later. Let's stop protecting the rights of criminals and instead, think of the people especially our soldiers who risk their lives going after terrorists and trying to rescue kidnap victims like Father Bossi—crawling in muddy jungles so people like you and me can sleep soundly at night.

Perhaps those who are naively complaining and making a lot of noise about the bill even before its implementation should go to Mindanao to find out just what it is like to quiver in fear, and experience first-hand what it is like to live under the threat of terror.

Let's not wait for a big explosion in Metro Manila which could potentially kill thousands of people before we are all finally convinced that these are dangerous times, indeed, which call for decisive measures that help prevent more savage and brutal acts by these barbarians.