Lawmakers urge DFA to ask foreign govts' basis for travel warnings

UPDATED 6:00 p.m. - After six travel advisories were issued against the Philippines, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte on Friday urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ask the concerned foreign governments what their bases were for issuing the warnings. Belmonte asked the DFA to make representations and ask those who issued travel warnings to “share with us what they know." “We are calling on our (foreign) allies, especially their intelligence agencies to share with us what they know, what this is all about. Why don’t they just inform us, what are we allies for?" Belmonte asked. The House leader said United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia and France “should share whatever information that they may have so that our authorities can find out if there really is a basis for those (warnings)." By knowing the bases of the warnings, Philippine authorities can address the concerns, Belmonte explained. “If they think their information or warning is for the well-being and the safety of their citizens, then it should also be for the well-being and safety of our fellow Filipinos. I think the DFA should also try to make representations," Belmonte said. Reveal real situation Meanwhile, Kasangga Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. said the Philippine National Police and other security agencies should reveal to the public the real situation and whether the warnings have any basis. “I’m sure our intelligence agencies are working 24/7 and they also have their own sources that could somehow give indication whether there is really an imminent and credible terrorist threat or not without jeopardizing whatever operations, if any, they have," he said. “Information is always important to the public so that they remain calm yet vigilant," he added. Zambales Rep. Ma Milagros Magsaysay expressed the same sentiment. “What is happening to our PNP, Department of National Defense and Department of Interior and Local Government and other agencies? Malacañang is saying President Aquino is on top of the situation? What situation are they talking about when they are in the dark?" she asked. “Either someone is playing stupid or they’re covering up something. These foreign governments are giving us these warnings yet we haven’t heard reassuring information, or confirmation or convincing proof that these are unfounded," the lawmaker added. Investigation into crisis response system On Monday, Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone is set to file a resolution calling for an investigation into the country’s crisis response system and readiness against any terrorist attacks. “Do we now actually even have a plan of action against any planned terrorist attacks in our country? We have to be ready now?" Evardone asked. He will ask two House committees — public order and safety and national defense and security — to look into the continued proliferation of loose, powerful firearms, and explosives. The lawmaker said the Luneta Grandstand hostage-taking incident, the Bar exams bombing and the bus bombing in North Cotabato were but a few of the incidents that show alarming proliferation of loose guns and bombs. “Such rash of violent incidents have increasingly elicited public anxiety and perception of “instability, anarchy and chaos," Evardone said. He also warned that weapons of mass destruction, including “biochemical" gadgets may be used in terrorist attacks. He said measures may be needed to ensure the adequacy of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to protect the civilian populace and secure public utility and communication systems. He said the PNP seems to be lacking in skills and logistical support to fight terrorism. Evardone will also ask the House committees to investigate the apparent failure of the country’s intelligence network to track down suspected terrorists and kidnappers. Uncanny timing Meanwhile, Senate Minority Floor Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, for his part, said that the timing of the travel advisories was "uncanny" since the Palace had just said it would study the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement. However, he admitted that it would be hard to accuse the United States of orchestrating anything without "any hard evidence." "It's a serious charge to say that someone is trying to sabotage or someone is trying to use those powers in order to gain leverage for something like the VFA. So I'm not ready to say it is linked," he said. However, to dispel such suspicions, he said the Aquino administration should ask the embassies of the countries to justify their actions. "If they have basis, then we have to address that. If it's not valid, meaning it is raw information, raw intelligence report, then we should file a diplomatic protest against these countries," he said. "They owe it to us if we ask for information on terrorism they give it to us. That's what ally nations do," he added. – with Kim Tan, VVP, GMANews.TV