Top Defense, military officials snub Senate hearing on Basilan clash

Government security officials on Monday snubbed a Senate hearing on the proposal to suspend the resumption of peace talks with Moro rebels following the recent clash in Basilan that killed 23 soldiers. This prompted Senator Rodolfo Biazon, chairman of the committee on national defense and security, to warn that he would subpoena these officials if they continue to snub his hearings. Among those who failed to attend the hearing were Ambassador Rafael Seguis, chairman of the government panel that will negotiate with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr; Gen. Victor Ibrado, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; and Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, commander of the AFP-Western Mindanao Command. In their separate letters to the committee, the officials said they could not attend the hearing as they were not permitted by Malacañang. “We are required to seek the approval from the President, Her Execellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, prior to attending any legislative hearing. As of this time, no such permission has been given the undersigned," Teodoro said in his letter. Only Avelino Razon, presidential adviser on the peace process, and representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Security Council (NSC) were present in the hearing. The absent officials asked Biazon to instead provide them the proposed legislation and a copy of the intended questions so they could prepare for it. Biazon said instead of waiting for the government officials to grace the hearing, he would just hold one in Zamboanga City on Friday to directly talk with the stakeholders. Invited in the Friday hearing are governors and local officials from Mindanao, including former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Nur Misuari. In Camp Aguinaldo, AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said the military had no intention to boycott the hearing. “As far as the AFP is concerned, our officers were ready to attend this hearing but this morning, we received word from the Defense Department that they have requested for a postponement of the hearing on the basis that they are still seeking the permission of Malacañang," he said. The proposal to suspend the peace talks came after the military accused the MILF of colluding with the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan during the clash early this month. - with Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV