TThe militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) lambasted Malacanang and the Department of Internal and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Angelo Reyes for engaging in double-talk in the signing of Executive Order 420 and for already implementing the national ID system through a memorandum by the DILG as early as March this year.

 According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of KMP, "this is a clear usurpation of the powers of Congress and a complete disregard of the 1997 Supreme Court decision. The memorandum dated March 2005 and titled the "Implementation of Local Identification System" is titled as such but is blatantly a ploy for the national ID system because it encompasses all provinces, cities and municipalities in the country.  This is the reason why EO 420,was not shown to the public, because they want to incorporate the contents of the memo to the EO. This is also the reason why NEDA secretary general Romulo Neri is being tasked to enter into a memorandum of agreement with city mayors and government agencies, "

 "Also the title of the memo was noted to be changed to "Strengthening of Barangay Registration System" to further hide the true intent of the memo," added the peasant leader.

 Angelo Reyes is using Section 394 (d) (6) of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, as a pretext for this ID system. The memo even has a sample ID and ready-made draft ordinances to be passed by city councils for its implementation.

 As for his part Carl Anthony Ala, public information officer of KMP, “all their talk about the national ID system is just for the easy facilitation of private business and the prevention of the use of false names and identities as well as using the NEDA as the main government agency to implement it, are just for cover to hide its true intent. With EO 420 and the DILG memo, every citizen's freedom of movement will definitely be curtailed, as well as compromise our right to abode. It is like the big brother version of the Philippines. It is comparable to a magnifying glass being placed on top of the country, where anyone who opposes the state can be monitored and be fried by its heat,” he added.

 “As DOJ Sec. Raul Gonzales said himself, their target is the legal Left, this is a prelude to open fascist rule and we are calling all citizens to boycott this measure, because all our civil liberties are at stake" ended Ala.# # #
 

KMP - 23 April 2005