DRAFT OF LETTER
(Bantay ICT requests to be furnished a copy of the letter you sent at j_mod@rocketmail.com for monitoring purposes.)

I am against the anti-terror bills filed in Congress, especially the provision on electronic surveillance. I feel that this provision encroaches on the people's right to privacy, freedom of expression, and communication. It threatens our personal freedom to communicate as we fear that the government will abuse this measure to conduct surveillance to minimize dissent and silence activists.

According to the provision, the government may conduct electronic surveillance and/or tap, monitor or intercept internet e-mail, voice mail, even text messages of any person suspected of being a member of a terrorist organization. If this bill will be enacted, I fear that the government may use this to target human rights activists, youth leaders, trade unionists, political oppositionists and even journalists.

In 2001, Filipinos used the power of information and communications technology (ICT) to protest against the Estrada administration. ICT became the weapon of choice of many Filipinos frustrated with Mr. Estrada's kind of governance. By sending statements and by downloading materials through the Internet, by sending millions of text messages, Filipinos all over the world were linked together and were able to topple another president in what was dubbed as the 'multimedia revolution'. If this bill will be enacted into a law, we may never have the chance to use the power of the Internet again to air our grievances.

Yes, 'terrorism' is a menace that must be stopped but not at all cost; certainly not at the expense of our right to privacy and communication. The Philippines have enough laws to combat 'terrorism'; we surely do not need this one.

No to invasion of privacy, No to the curtailment of freedom of expression and communication, No to electronic surveillance, No to anti-terrorism bill!

Truly yours,

Your Name