The Philippine State, Society
& Economy, 1992-1998

Apr 23, 97
National ID System: Despite
High Court TRO, AO 308 is Still
a Clear and Present Danger
By KARAPATAN

The national identification system is still a clear and present danger, according to the human rights alliance Karapatan. "The National Statistic Office's assignation of Population Reference Numbers, a key aspect of the national identification system, goes to show that the Ramos government will go to the extent of ignoring the Supreme Court to have repressive policies implemented," said Antonio Liongson, Karapatan deputy secretary-general.

The high court imposed early this month a temporary restraining order on the implementation of the national ID system through Administrative Order 308.

Liongson cautioned that the government was using every means at its disposal to have the national ID system and other repressive policies implemented because of its "authoritarian motivations." "We must be on guard against "innocuous" government agencies like the NSO which President Fidel Ramos are using like chess pieces to deceive the public, escape the opposition and position his regime for one big final swoop: full-scale authoritarianism," he said. "If the national ID system is being subtly enforced, and we are in a situation where the civilian bureaucracy is being militarized, this country is on the march towards becoming a "police state."

He added that NSO Admnistrator Tomas Africa's justifications for using the PRN were "lame excuses" because the overriding purpose was to help implement in piecemeal fashion the national ID system. "Let us not forget that this PRN issue is intimately linked to the national ID system. Any other justification merely wishes to cover up this fact."

Even by themselves, Africa's justifications are simply untenable, said Liongson. "Africa says this PRN is foolproof and tamper-proof? How can he say that when even technologically advanced countries like the US fell prey to computer hackers which accessed the CIA, Pentagon and other supposedly 'highly secured' computer networks?

"He also says it is optional? Then why is he telling the civil registrars to canvass public acceptance of the PRN? Isn't this the subtle way to convince the public of the PRN's (and by extension the national ID system's) supposed 'virtues'?"

Liongson suggested that Africa should quit his post for ignoring the Supreme Court. "Maybe the Supreme Court should summon Africa and levy appropriate sanctions on him. Meanwhile, the public should continue rejecting the PRN, the national ID system implementation and other policies which violate civil and political rights."



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