Admin solon opposes ID system in Sulu

Sun.Star: An administration congressman has expressed strong opposition to the implementation of the identification card (ID) system in the island province of Sulu, south of Zamboanga City. Lakas Congressman Munir Arbison of the second district of Sulu said the ID system implementation was only done through a local executive act and does not have the concurrence of the Provincial Board by way of a resolution authorizing the provincial governor to implement it. Arbison also said the process was carried out without due consultation with political leaders and the constituents of the province of Sulu. Governor Sakur Tan launched over the weekend the provincial ID system in Sulu with the town of Patikul, whose population now is more than 50,000, as the pilot area. Tan said the ID system is aimed at deterring terrorism, curbing crimes, and as a database for local census. Military troops deployed in Sulu, a province with 19 towns, are continuously pursuing the remaining leaders and members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bandits. Radulan Sahiron, one of the remaining Abu Sayyaf leaders and the oldest among them, is based in the town of Patikul where the ID system was first implemented. The ID system includes a photo of the holder and the following information - the date and place of birth, civil status, blood type, age, address, thumbprints, and sex, among others. Arbison said the ID system was launched even if the issue is still being hotly debated in the House of Representatives. The debate over the proposed legislation for the ID system implementation nationwide is centered on the possible blatant violation of the human rights of the citizens. At the national level, the ID system has been pushed by the executive leadership to unify the multiple ID system in the country, as well as to provide authorities an expedient measure to distinguish lawless personalities in the light of the prevailing global threat of terrorism. "The political leaders of the province (of Sulu) especially the municipal mayors and the barangay leaders, whose direct constituencies are affected, were not consulted," Arbison said. Arbison said he and Sulu first district Congressman Yusop Jikiri were not also consulted about its implementation. - Sun.Star