The Human Security Act of 2007: A Study on the Political Implications of Republic Act 9372 on the Members and Supporters of Mass Organizations

Abstract

Transnational crimes have been in existence long before the 9/11 attacks in the United States took place. However, because of this incident, the capabilities of heightening fear and panic among the general public in order to challenge the authority of governments has been known. As a response, the United States, being at the forefront and along with its “Coalition of the Willing," have come up with the measures and means to combat the threats of terrorism which include anti-terror legislations, intelligence and surveillance as well as police and military operations. Here and abroad, efforts to enact anti-terror legislations have been challenged for being contentious and for having serious political implications. With these facts at hand, the researcher intended to identify political implications of the Human Security Act of 2007 on the members and supporters of mass organizations and to know the factors that stimulate the formulation and enactment the Human Security Act of 2007 and the reasons that triggered certain institutions and individuals to challenge the said law. After gathering pertinent facts as well as conducting interviews and analysis, the researcher found out that Human Security Act of 2007, just like any law, can be abused by law enforcement agents to bring about a chilling effect on individuals and organizations perceived by the government to be its enemies.