My good friend, Undersecretary Ric Blancaflor, has been tasked to lead the information dissemination campaign on the Human Security Act. One important tool he can use is to involve the public through civil society in the crafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations.

The IRR sets boundaries on how this controversial law should be interpreted by all Filipinos. It is puzzling why none of the agencies in charge with writing up the IRR succeeded. If there is no political will in drafting the IRR for such an important measure, then how can there be political will in ensuring that the HSA is fairly and consistently applied against suspected terrorists?

Much as we condemn these terrorists, we must also recognize that in every implementation of the law, there are occasions for human errors. The IRR could tells us how government intends to minimize such errors, and even err on the side of prudence in relation to civil liberties and the interpretation of this law.

The CBCP is correct in calling for a review of the Human Security Act. But it is wrong in that it should have raised its voice louder when the HSA was just a bill in the legislative mill.

Now, we count the days until this law becomes alive in the hands of men – some of who see a terrorist behind every activist group.