Explanation sought on conflicting statements on 'destab, rescue' plots
04/29/2009 | 01:18 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Senator Rodolfo Biazon on Wednesday urged the heads of the country’s security agencies to explain the contradicting statements issued on the supposed destabilization move and plot to rescue detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other jailed military officials.
"The AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] said there is no such thing [destabilization plot]…and here comes PAOCC [Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission] saying there is such a thing. If there is no basis for that statement, this is the height of irresponsibility in the part of that official," Biazon told reporters.
"I think no less than all the security agencies of this country must explain this – the Secretary of Defense [Gilbert Teodoro], the Secretary of Interior and Local Government [Ronaldo Puno], the National Security Adviser [Norberto Gonzales]," he added.
Biazon said he will weigh the statements and declarations of PAOCC, AFP and security agencies then he will see if there is a need to file a resolution seeking an inquiry on the contradicting pronouncements.
"The charges are serious, no less than the assassination of the Chief Executive of the land had been mentioned. This is a serious matter and we need an explanation from the executive department," Biazon said.
Earlier in the day, a Palace official said Malacañang will quiz the Interior and Defense departments on persistent reports of an alleged "destabilization" plot involving six military rebels and a New Zealander arrested at a private shooting range in Pampanga last week.
Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the quiz comes in the wake of conflicting statements from the military and an anti-crime task force under the Palace.
On Tuesday, the military claimed six military personnel, including a 2003 Oakwood mutineer, and a New Zealander arrested by security forces last week in a private shooting range in Clark Field, Pampanga were training for jobs abroad.
Armed Forces public affairs office head Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said their arrest "is not in any way connected to any destabilization attempt."
But Mariano Villafuerte, director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF), said those arrested were planning to overthrow the Arroyo government.
Villafuerte, son of Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, said the six were training to spring detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and former First Scout Ranger Regiment commander Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim. Trillanes and Lim are detained at the PNP Custodial Center at Camp Crame.
On Tuesday, Trillanes denied any plot to rescue them from detention. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV
"The AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] said there is no such thing [destabilization plot]…and here comes PAOCC [Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission] saying there is such a thing. If there is no basis for that statement, this is the height of irresponsibility in the part of that official," Biazon told reporters.
"I think no less than all the security agencies of this country must explain this – the Secretary of Defense [Gilbert Teodoro], the Secretary of Interior and Local Government [Ronaldo Puno], the National Security Adviser [Norberto Gonzales]," he added.
Biazon said he will weigh the statements and declarations of PAOCC, AFP and security agencies then he will see if there is a need to file a resolution seeking an inquiry on the contradicting pronouncements.
"The charges are serious, no less than the assassination of the Chief Executive of the land had been mentioned. This is a serious matter and we need an explanation from the executive department," Biazon said.
Earlier in the day, a Palace official said Malacañang will quiz the Interior and Defense departments on persistent reports of an alleged "destabilization" plot involving six military rebels and a New Zealander arrested at a private shooting range in Pampanga last week.
Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the quiz comes in the wake of conflicting statements from the military and an anti-crime task force under the Palace.
On Tuesday, the military claimed six military personnel, including a 2003 Oakwood mutineer, and a New Zealander arrested by security forces last week in a private shooting range in Clark Field, Pampanga were training for jobs abroad.
Armed Forces public affairs office head Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said their arrest "is not in any way connected to any destabilization attempt."
But Mariano Villafuerte, director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF), said those arrested were planning to overthrow the Arroyo government.
Villafuerte, son of Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, said the six were training to spring detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and former First Scout Ranger Regiment commander Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim. Trillanes and Lim are detained at the PNP Custodial Center at Camp Crame.
On Tuesday, Trillanes denied any plot to rescue them from detention. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV
