A picket in protest of Republic Act 9372, or the Human Security Act of 2007, will be held by Karapatan Negros, Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Anak Pawis, and the National Federation of Sugar Workers as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visits Negros today.

KN secretary general Fred Caña said yesterday that there will be around 100 protesters who will meet Arroyo when she arrives at the Bacolod City airport.

He said their lawyers told them that massive warrantless arrests of members of progressive groups such as Karapatan, Bayan Muna, Gabriela, and Anak Pawis without any could be a "worst case scenario" once the Human Security Act takes effect Sunday. "This is the death of democracy," Caña said, adding that the act is just part of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's agenda to suppress those who criticize her administration.

In a statement, Karapatan also said that some provisions of the new law that include warrantless arrests, prolonged detention without charges, and unauthorized surveillance on suspects could be abused to "contain the people's liberty and privacy.

Caña added that if the country's penal code is implemented effectively, the Human Security Act will not be necessary in deterring crimes.

He also said that Arroyo may have just signed R.A. 9372 because of the pressure from United States president George W. Bush in support of his war on terror.*PP

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