MANILA – A federation of urban poor said Monday the passage of the proposed anti-terrorism bill will protect the vulnerability of the urban poor sector against acts of tyranny, oppression, and violence.
In a statement, Tomas Jaldo, Pambansang Koalisyon ng Maralitang Taga-Lungsod (PKML) president, said the urban poor sector deserves protection by enacting the bill into law.
"Marami sa aming hanay ang naging biktima ng terorismong gawain ng mga anti-state elements at minsang ni-recruit at naging bahagi ng teroristang organisasyon (Many in our ranks have been victims of terrorist acts by anti-state elements and were once recruited and became part of terrorist organizations)," Jaldo said, adding that the urban poor sector is the most vulnerable to human trafficking and radicalism.
Many terrorist activities have destroyed peoples' lives and shattered innocent individuals, he said, "that is why we are in the right position to reveal our awful experiences when it comes to terrorism."
He added that the public should look up at the bright side of passing the measure, which would eventually "disarm" the process of atrocities, radicalism, and extremism.
The urban poor sector, Jaldo said, "is strongly condemning the acts of terrorism" including the December 30 Rizal Day bombings, the Davao City carnage, Marawi siege, and assassinations caused by the communist groups.
"Dahil dito, nakikiisa ang aming koalisyon na kumakatawan sa 238 miyembro ng pederasyon at buong sambayanan Pilipino sa pagsuporta at pagsasabatas ng Anti-Terrorism bill (With this, our coalition representing the 238 members of the urban poor federation and the Filipino community are supporting the passage of the Anti-Terrorism bill into law)," Jaldo said.
Jaldo said the Philippine Constitution still ensures protection of human rights so there's no need to cast doubt on the contents of the bill.
"Mangingibabaw pa din ang 1987 Constitution bilang (the 1987 Constitution will still prevail as the) supreme law of the land," he said.
He said the existing Human Security Act in the country has less impact to fully eliminate terrorism.
The Pambansang Koalisyon ng Maralitang Taga-Lungsod (PKML) said it is a coalition with 238 federation members representing urban poor communities nationwide. (PNA)
