(Here we lift some notable quotes taken from articles and speeches of the late Senate President Nene Pimentel commenting on burning issues then, which have remained relevant in today’s events).
“The country needs an anti-terrorism law.
“The reason is that terrorism is now the scourge of the world.
“Terrorism threatens every nation – rich or poor – imminently, and directly. To us, who believe in freedom and democracy, it must be met decisively and legally if we are to keep our people secure in the exercise of their rights and freedoms. People’s rights and freedoms lose value unless allowed to flourish under an umbrella of law and order or to use a much-abused buzzword, security.
“Since terrorism feeds on force, it must be met by government counterforce to beat it. Hence, our law enforcers must be equipped with the necessary tools to detect terrorism, prevent terrorist acts before they are implemented, arrest and jail the terrorists.
“If we are to facilitate the fight against terrorism, we need laws that allow our law enforcers to use methods that are adequate to combat terrorists in their game. If terrorists use computers, cell phones, emails, and the banks to ply their nefarious trade, our law enforcers must be given the right to use sophisticated methods to detect, impede and prevent the former’s ability to do so.
“It is necessary, however, that law enforcers strictly adhere to the anti-terrorist methods that they may use in accordance with law. And those ways must not be inconsistent with the basic human rights and the fundamental civil liberties of our people. That said, people must also understand that their right to be secure in their daily life is also paramount.”
(Excerpt from Nene Pimentel’s speech at the Senate November 10, 2005)