Day one

The Human Security Act took effect today. Progressives marched to Mendiola and was able to reach the historic bridge for the first time this year (pictures here). A sign was hung over Chino Roces’ head that read: Scrap the Human Security Act! It was, of course, a gesture of triumph on the part of the people, but I’m sure that the late journalist and press freedom fighter wouldn’t have minded.

For all the government’s malicious blanket labeling–”communist terrorist,” “religious terrorist”–even they admit that “terrorists” basically just boiled down to a very basic definition: armed men who kill civilians.

Right now, I can’t think of any group that systematically slaughters innocents other than military death squads. They sow extraordinary fear (Just ask community mass leaders, working for the marginalized, yet hunted like animals). They create panic among the populace (Just ask the farmers who go into a cedula frenzy knowing that no proof will ever convince government soldiers that they are not insurgents). On the contrary, they don’t “coerce the government to give in to their unlawful demand,” the law’s provision thrown it to seal off state terrorism from the crime. They are the government and they are unlawful.

There is really so much to say about HSA! But I don’t have much time now and today is just day one. No doubt, Arroyo’s “legacy” will be long and dark, like Marcos’ martial law. But then and now, the struggle is anything but lonely.