Police and military officials in Negros Occidental yesterday backed the proposed revival of the national ID system, saying it will help defeat the insurgents in 2010.

Maj. Nathaniel Villasor, 303 rd Infantry Brigade spokesman, yesterday said terrorists are afraid of the ID system, because they can be easily identified if they commit atrocities.

However, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan has vowed to fight the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police in the revival of the ID system calling it is the Arroyo government's latest concoction to threaten civil liberties and keep the people subservient.

Bayan-Negros secretary general Felipe Levy Gelle, Jr. said that the fact that the proposal emanates from the AFP is already a cause for concern.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, said there is nothing to be afraid in the national ID system, adding it will also be an effective tool of the government in the delivery of basic services to the people.

Gelle said that a national ID System for counter-insurgency presupposes guilt before trial. Those who do not have the ID will be subjected to harm, and rights violations, he also claimed.*GPB

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