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[av_heading heading=’Civil rights in danger– labor group ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY TIFFANY ANNE TAN
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BACOLOD City – Suspending the writ of habeas corpus would have a negative impact on civil rights, warned the General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA).
“You can only suspend the privilege of habeas corpus in case of rebellion, insurrection, or if the country is in imminent danger,” said Wennie Sancho, GAWA secretary-general.
The suspension of the writ of habeas corpus allows warrantless arrest.
Sancho said this would open the floodgates for the encroachment of civil and political rights.
He recalled what happened during the martial law period of then dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
“We do not want history to repeat itself,” he asserted. “This attempt has rumblings of martial law.”
Earlier, the Diocese of Bacolod urged the people to remain vigilant over the possible suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.
Social Communications head and San Sebastian Cathedral rector Father Felix Pasquin said Marcos’ martial law was preceded by the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.
He also said President Rodrigo Duterte’s refrain of “saving the country” from illegal drugs and terrorism bears an uncanny similarity to Marcos’ pretexts in declaring martial law – “saving the republic” the rising communist insurgency.
“Eternal vigilance is indeed the price of freedom,” said Pasquin.
Gov. Afredo Marañon Jr. of Negros Occidental said he is in favor of suspending the writ of habeas corpus to address the worsening illegal drugs problem and lawlessness, but only in select areas of the country./PN
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