Bill halting aid to Philippine military, police reintroduced in US Congress

An American lawmaker has reintroduced a bill seeking to halt the United States’ aid to the Philippine security forces due to the alleged “mass” human rights violations under the Duterte administration.

In an online event organized by Malaya Movement, Pennsylvania 7th District Representative Susan Wild announced that she will reintroduce the Philippine Human Rights Act (PHRA), which she said is a response to the rampant human rights violations under President Rodrigo Duterte's rule.

“What this bill says is very simple: US taxpayers’ funds should not be used to supply weapons to a regime that violently targets its political opponents, including US citizens like Brandon Lee, a human rights activist, who was shot by state security forces in 2019 and remains paralyzed from the chest down today. As a result of that attack, Brandon deserves to know that his government stands with him not with his attackers,” Wild said.

Wild lamented that two US administrations have “demonstrated unwillingness to challenge” the arm support to the Duterte regime.

She cited the killings of dissidents, labor organizers, members of the clergy, including the death of nine activists in a previous deadly police operations that the media tagged as "Bloody Sunday" in the Philippines.

“By blocking assistance to Philippine security forces until such time that human rights standards are met, this bill makes a common sense proposition. Standing up for human rights requires more than rhetoric, it requires action. The organizations involved in this fight demonstrate why it is so crucial. They span spectrum from grassroots human rights organizations to faith groups, to labor unions…” Wild said.

Wild further emphasized that Americans are standing in solidarity with unionists and activists in the Philippines in protecting all rights, including labor rights.

“This is about solidarity. It is about standing up for one another and understanding that protecting labor rights and all the human rights here at home require supporting the same rights abroad,” she pointed out.

Malacañang has yet to issue a statement regarding the reintroduction of the bill, but in September 2020, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque described Wild's bill as a “very wild suggestion.”

Roque expressed confidence that the US government recognizes the importance of its security alliance with the Philippines.

GMA News Online has sought Roque for a fresh comment but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

'This is about our sovereignty'

Wild, in a virtual press conference, explained that the bill is not intended to infringe Philippine sovereignty, but a move to ensure that US taxpayers' money do not proceed to an administration that “brutally represses” its dissidents.

“To the government of the Philippines, I want to make clear we respect the sovereignty of your country. This is about our sovereignty. It is about US taxpayers having a say where our tax dollars go and for many of us, it is imperative that funding would not go to a government that brutally represses those who oppose them,” she said.

She then called on the US administration to stand with them and “live up” to its commitment that the US foreign policy will center on the defense of human rights and dignity.

The measure was first introduced by Wild in US Congress last September 17, 2020.

The PHRA states that no federal funds may be used to provide assistance to the police or military of the Philippines until the Philippine government has investigated and successfully prosecuted members of its military who have violated human rights, withdrawn the military from domestic policing activities, and established that it effectively protects the rights of journalists and civil society activists.

So far, there are 11 US congressmen who wanted their name tagged as co-sponsor of the PHRA.

'End quiet diplomacy now'

Meanwhile, in the same online event, Yves Nibungco of Malaya Movement highlighted that the reintroduction of the PHRA in US Congress came a few hours after an International Criminal Court prosecutor requested to open a full investigation into drug war killings in the Philippine, saying crimes against humanity could have been committed.

“These are badly needed and concrete actions from the international community. The human rights situation in the Philippines continues to deteriorate every day and the democratic space continue to shrink,” he said.

Nibungco pointed out that the “inaction and the lack of decisiveness” in legislating the PHRA comes at a “very high cost” for human rights and democracy.

“That is why we call on the US government to end the quiet diplomacy now. We need concrete actions. We urge our legislators both in the House and the Senate to put human rights first, in front and center, above US geopolitical interest. Simply put, pass the PHRA now,” he said.

Apart from the Malaya Movement, the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and Global Ministries (United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ) in the United States have expressed support to Wild's bill.

Brenda Roberts of CWA mentioned the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 approved by Duterte, saying it has left a “chilling effect” on labor activists and human rights defenders.

Roberts cited the killing of human rights paralegal, Zara Alvarez, who was shot dead in Bacolod in August 2020.

“It is clear that attacks on free speech and democracy are on the rise in the Phil. We cannot stand idly while Duterte kills activists one by one. We must condemn it and do every single thing in our power to stop it and that stands with legislation like the PHRA,” she said.

Human rights lawyer and former Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares sent a video message for the online event thanking Wild for reintroducing the bill. He said the passage of the PHRA will “definitely save Filipino lives.”

Colmenares said he is hoping for the swift approval of the bill in the US Congress. —KBK, GMA News