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Among other provisions, the Human Security Act allows police to detain suspected terrorists for three days without charges, but it also allows victims of unlawful arrest to collect up to 500,000 pesos ($10,350) for each day of wrongful detainment. In addition, the legislation bans the practice of [JURIST news archive]. Arroyo [press release] Filipinos that the law will not infringe on civil liberties as it will only "be used against bombers not protesters.
" Leftist organizations and opposition lawmakers, however, worry that despite amendments, the bill's definition of terrorism is still broad enough to apply to legitimate dissent. Carol Araullo, head of the rights group [advocacy website], [press release] the government of trying "to score brownie points with the U.S.
government." Philippines Senator M.A.
Madrigal meanwhile issued this :
This is a dark day for all Filipinos. This law is a license to kill. Hitler did it.Stalin did it. Now Mrs. Arroyo has done it.
With the signing of this draconian law, Mrs. Arroyo has arrogated unto herself the powers of a dictator to punish her enemies by branding them as terrorists..
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