Amid concerns about anti-terror bill, Esperon says gov't is 'sensitive' about racial profiling

Amid apprehensions against the new anti-terror bill, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Wednesday maintained that the government is sensitive when it comes to issues of "racial profiling." 

At a virtual press briefing, Esperon cited Jolo, Sulu, where lawless and terroristic acts transpired, as an area that is also being occupied by "peace-loving citizens." He noted that the government has safeguard measures against racial profiling. 

"Unang-una, very sensitive tayo diyan, 'yung racial profiling. Hindi natin dapat ginagawa 'yan. There are a lot of laws that prohibit that. Halimbawa, ang mga katulad niyan, 'Ay taga Mindanao 'yan, 'Ay taga Jolo yan,' medyo delikado ang mga 'yan dahil alam naman natin sa Jolo mismo na kung saan ay maraming terrorism ang nangyayari ngayon ay madami ding peace-loving citizens," Esperon said. 

"As far as we are concerned, kung 'di ka naman involved sa ganyang activities, mga armed struggle and  joining the NPA [New Peoples' Army], Abu Sayyaf, the BIFF [Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters], and those other organizations including the Maute ay 'di ka kasama dito sa anti-terrorism act..." Esperon added. 

When it comes to red tagging, Esperon also clarified that it is not the government who red-tagged some organizations such as Bayan, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Migrante, and Kilusang Mayo Uno, among others. 

Esperon said the actions of these left-leaning groups also indicate they are supporting the illegal activities of the communist rebels. 

"Actually, hindi kami ang nagre-red-tag. Hindi ko alam kung maipasok natin ngayon dito 'yung video tape ni Mr. Jose Maria Sison dahil siya ang nagpangalan sa mga organization na sumusuporta sa kanilang rebolusyon," Esperon said.

"Tulad ng sinabi ko kanina, ang red tagging hindi nanggagaling sa amin kung hindi galing na rin sa aksyon ng mga organisasyon nila at mga units nila," Esperon added. 

Earlier, the National Union of People's Lawyers said the proposed legislation "legalizes red-tagging of organizations on suspicion of engaging in abstrusely termed 'terrorist acts,' noting that it "essentially renders nugatory the freedom of association." 

The new anti-terror bill, which seeks to replace the Human Security Act of 2007, is up for President Rodrigo Duterte's signature after it was passed by Congress amid concerns regarding some of its provisions.

Duterte is just waiting for author Senator Panfilo Lacson to finalize small details before signing it, his spokesperson Harry Roque said on Wednesday. —KG, GMA News