E·N·Q·U·I·R·Y
DEMAREE J.B. RAVAL
DEMAREE J.B. RAVAL
Harassing Dr. Enrile
Tuesday, 08 14, 2007
I was hoping to catch up with my light reading last Sunday and relax my mental tissues a bit, when my attention was caught, then later thoroughly absorbed, by a document stuck in my pigeonhole. It was a statement from the National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada (NAPWC) dated Aug. 10, 2007. And as I read through it, I found myself being afraid, very much afraid — for myself and other expatriate Filipinos who are not exactly admirers of the winsome ways of this administration.
And who would not be, if you, on your return to the beloved Inang Bayan for a short vacation from work in some foreign country, find yourself in the predicament of Dr. Annalisa Enrile?
Read the following NAPWC statement in its entirety and weep in deep sadness, or scream in righteous anger — or give yourself to both passions. Here goes:
“As overseas Filipino women, the NAPWC and its member organizations are gravely concerned with the political harassment of Dr. Enrile, a US citizen, assistant clinical professor at the University of Southern California’s School of Social Work, and national chair of Gabriela Network (GABNet) USA. “After attending the 10th bi-annual Women’s International Solidarity Affair in the Philippines (Wisap), organized by Gabriela and held in Manila, Dr. Enrile was barred from returning to Los Angeles on Aug. 5. Dr. Enrile is being held purportedly because her name was on the Bureau of Immigration’s ‘hold-departure order’ list. “The Wisap drew hundreds of women from all over the globe and covered important women’s concerns on governance, migration, war and violence against women. Prior to the Wisap, Dr. Enrile also led a delegation of Social Work Masters students on a Philippine summer immersion program. “Two other GABNet leaders, Ninotchka Rosca and Judith Mirkinson, are reportedly on the same hold list and are likely to face the same restriction of movement. Gabriela believes this watch list is a revival of a list the Philippine government adopted late last year to limit protest actions timed for the 12th Leaders’ Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Cebu last January. Although this watch list was lifted recently, it is being revived to attack foreign visitors who have come to the Philippines out of concern or in solidarity with the victims of human rights violations of the Arroyo regime. “Reports state that in order for Dr. Enrile to leave the country, she must receive clearance by the Department of Justice, the National Security Adviser, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and AFP chief of staff. It is no coincidence that the majority of these officials belong to the Anti-Terrorism Council tasked to implement the HSA. “Dr. Enrile has now become a clear example of the Arroyo regime’s attempt in using the HSA to harass anyone critical of her government. “The Arroyo regime has faced harsh international criticism because of her appalling human rights track record, currently totaling 885 extra-judicial killings, of which 98 are women and nine are teachers. Many of these violations have been exposed through solidarity efforts of individuals and organizations. This obvious intimidation tactic of the Arroyo regime will not stop people from going to the Philippines to learn about the actual conditions of the country, nor will it stem the growing international support for the Filipino people’s demand to uphold basic human rights and the call to end state terrorism in the Philippines.“NAPWC stands in militant solidarity with Dr. Enrile, Ms. Rosca, Ms. Mirkinson, GABNet and all others who oppose state terrorism under the Arroyo regime. We know that the Arroyo regime is using the HSA as a tool of terrorism on the Filipino people and all those who struggle against its anti-people actions. We demand the HSA be repealed! We will not allow these intimidation tactics to affect our commitment to continue to fight to uphold the human rights of the Filipino people. We join in the Filipino people’s call to oust the fascist Arroyo-regime and join in the struggle for genuine national and social liberation of the Philippines and the Filipino people.”
Dr. Enrile, together with Ms. Rosca and Ms. Mirkinson, now appear to be among the first batch of victims expediently netted by the ambiguous provisions of the HSA. Rep. Liza Maza of Gabriela believes the “still expanding list” is an integral part of the stratagem relentlessly adopted by the government to instill extreme fear and distress among persons and organizations it considers as unsympathetic toward its political policies and views.
So whatever happened to the right to travel that is supposed to be the primogeniture of the world-famous OFW, whose obsession with that “extra dollar” has impelled his wanderlust to toil in the harsh deserts of the Middle East, and other alien places all over the globe? It is all too clear that no one can be prevented from leaving the country, unless one has committed a crime and charges have been filed before the courts. I’ve got news for all OFWs: Under the HSA, you can be held on mere suspicion or association with groups openly critical of the government.
What riles my goat is the predicament of Dr. Enrile. It’s an act of undisguised harassment -—pure, barefaced, shameless and shameful.
Is there someone out there who cares? Ladies and gentlemen of the Fourteenth Congress, are you listening? Or would you rather wait until it happens to you?
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