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HSA Talk: Journalists condemn RA 9372 Journalists agree that the Human Security Act should be repealed because of its vague provisions and of the threat it poses to press freedom. Joe Torrres, National Union of Journalists in the Philippines president, Professor Danilo Arao of the UP College of Mass Communication and Jerry Abella, editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian called for the repeal of the HSA on a forum last September 21 at the CMC auditorium, UP Diliman. “Mag-ingay tayo… we need real opposition to this law,” Torres said. Professor Arao of the CMC Deparment of Journalism said the loose definition of terrorism, of who qualifies as terrorist and the threat of being detained for up to three days upon mere suspicion reinforces the culture of impunity in the country. He said Sec. 19 of RA 9372 defines terrorism as an act posing an “imminent threat… but who determines this?” Arao also said Sec. 28, which allows the wiretapping of communications of a suspected terrorist violates one’s right to privacy and presumes guilt rather than innocence. Torres said aside from threats of imprisonment and surveillance on the journalists, the HSA can make the media killings in the Philippines go worse. He said 54 of the 90 journalists killed since 1986 have been killed since President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's rule in 2001. This year alone, he added, four have already been killed, and is still counting. Torres added "even the police are reluctant in implementing the HSA" because of the vague provisions: “Sir, papatayin na nga lang namin.” Arao said the college should “call for the repeal of the HSA in the same way (we called for the repeal of) Proclamation 1017 and General Order No. 5.” Arao said the college should “call for the repeal of the HSA in the same way (we called for the repeal of) Proclamation 1017 and General Order No. 5.”
|  Red - the color of blood and of encompassing change Butterfly - stingy, swift, learned and ready I am the RED BUTTERFLY... ...come see me fly |