Labor Center asks SC to expedite TRO on Terror Law

Labor Center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today asked the Supreme Court (SC) to expedite deliberations on their request for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) versus the Terror law which was put into effect last July 15, 2007. The high court has ordered Malacañang officials and military brass to comment on the many petitions against the terror law within 10 days.

According to Elmer “Ka Bong” Labog, National Chairperson of the KMU, any delay of the TRO against the terror law can serve in favor of human rights violators. “We want the TRO versus the terror law approved by the SC as soon as possible to lessen the elbow room for those who commit human rights violation with impunity."

Labog stressed the new anti-terror law will aggravate the already grim state of human rights on the country. “The State of the Nation Address by Arroyo spoke nothing substantial against the continued human rights abuses in the country and this does not speak well of how the rights situation in the country will be for the next 3 years.”

Military aid cut a product of rights group lobby

Reacting on reports of U.S. Military aid to the Philippines being slashed by almost 2/3, the labor leader stressed the efficacy of the lobby of various human rights group based in the United States.

"The slash of aid from the U.S. is a direct result of the hard work and continuous lobbying of concerned groups here and those based in the U.S. against the murderous regime of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and underscores how international solidarity works. Our friends from the U.S. deserve our heartfelt gratitude," opined Labog.

According to Labog, the decline in support can also be attributed to the growing opposition of U.S. citizens against Bush War on Terror and the Iraq War. "Even politicians coming from the Republican Party are distancing themselves from the Iraq War and all those who support this war, including the Arroyo regime, will be adversely affected.”