National ID system revived in anti-crime drive

**eyescube** · November 29th, 2003 12:40 PM

National ID system revived in anti-crime drive

By Marichu Villanueva
The Philippine Star 11/29/2003

In an apparent bid to ease public concern over the peace and order situation in the country, President Arroyo revived the government’s proposed national identification (ID) system as an anti-crime measure to protect law-abiding citizens.

Besides ordering the installation of police mobile checkpoints in strategic parts of Metro Manila, the President also ordered the police and military, under the supervision of National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (Naktaf) chief Angelo Reyes, to use these fixed and mobile checkpoints as "chokepoints" for all suspicious vehicles cruising Metro Manila’s streets — especially vehicles that have tinted windows and "questionable plates."

"Policemen will be made to walk their beats in order to show police presence. Mobile and fixed checkpoints shall be conducted and chokepoints going to Metro Manila will be watched. Heavily tinted vehicles will be challenged. Vehicles with questionable plate numbers will be questioned. Special plates are not exempt from inspection," she said.

The President also approved the allocation of P300 million in reward money for tips and information leading to the arrest of leaders and members of notorious kidnapping and terrorist groups, local or foreign. "I am making available P300 million for these rewards," she said.

Speaker Jose de Venecia said Thursday that he has asked the House appropriations committee to earmark P300 million for this reward money to fuel the government’s anti-terrorist and anti-kidnapping campaigns.

"I also seek the implementation of the national ID system," the President said.

The proposal for a national ID system, first made during the term of former President Fidel Ramos, hit legal obstacles after it was challenged before the Supreme Court as one which violates of the constitutionally protected right to privacy.

Mrs. Arroyo, however, said her administration’s revival of this proposal is part of government’s initiatives to address the peace and order problems plaguing the country.

"These are what we are doing in the immediate term... but they need more reforms" the President said.

The President made these statements at the 29th Philippine Business Conference (PBC) at the Manila Hotel.

She is under fire from the Filipino-Chinese community for standing pat on her decision to maintain the moratorium on executions despite the recent kidnap-slaying of Coca-Cola executive Betti Chua Sy. The Filipino-Chinese community earlier asked the President to lift the execution moratorium.

"Confidence in our political stability has held steady in the face of judicious resolution of the Oakwood incident, in the face of our war against terrorism and in the face of the diminishing traumas of destabilization now that the electoral fever is catching on," she said.

Besides posters and flyers with pictures of wanted terrorists, similar materials with the likenesses of kidnap gang leaders will be published and posted in conspicuous public places, like schools, markets and "target" communities.

"I shall certify a bill to add more teeth to laws dealing with kidnapping. I have instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make the Witness Protection Program (WPP) more responsive to kidnap victims," Mrs. Arroyo vowed.

IMO> tama lang ito, it will be fair sa mga gumagawa ng kabutihan and it would be unfair sa mga gumagawa ng masama.

Dito sa Saudi meron yung tinatawag na IQAMA & Travel Permits, dahil dito mahigpit ang security maging sa mga Expats.

With this ID System, NPA/MILF/Abus and other outlaws will soon be cornered. Police can do spot check for the ID.

I agree with this ID System.

**qman** · November 29th, 2003 01:40 PM

tama lang ipatupad na. tapos gawin nilang driving license, voters, ID and SSS or GSIS ID in one and authenticated pa ng Census.

**yebo** · November 29th, 2003 01:44 PM

aqree. yun lang naman may tinatago ang ayaw ma-identified eh. kung law abiding ka ok lang yan. kung criminal ka, syempre ayaw mo.

they have it in the US, the SS card. they have it in other countries also. why not here, especially if it will make the delivery of services more efficient. para ka lang kumuha ng cedula o voter's id di ba.

**RedHorse** · November 29th, 2003 10:59 PM

payag ako basta all in one card na... pero kung national ID lang na walang link sa ibang cards, ay fund raising campaign lang yan ni Reyes...

Matalino daw, pero utak dilis sa diskarte...

**Karding** · November 30th, 2003 05:22 AM

eh paano malilipol ang mga terrorist sa Pinas, hindi naman nila malipol ang mga nasa Armed Forces na involved. Useless ID card na naman.

simpre, IMHO lang naman po

**pajerokid** · November 30th, 2003 07:48 PM

Di ko talaga maintindihan mga taong opposed sa National ID!

What's wrong with having an Identity Card? Eh, ikaw naman yun diba?

Its about time we had this.

**benchph1** · November 30th, 2003 08:09 PM

Magandang idea ito..pero hula ko pagkakaperahan na naman ng mga corrupt na gov't official to..tsk tsk..itaga nyo sa bato!

**badsekktor** · November 30th, 2003 10:37 PM

ok sana yan plus a national database with all their info para madali na maghanap ng mga criminals using their fingerprints lang. just hope na di magamit sa maling paraan like frame-ups tapos kikilan ang mga kawawang negosyante