August 11, 2001, The Philippine Star, GMA Orders Probe on Sayyaf-AFP 'Connivance',

August 11, 2001, The Philippine Star, GMA Orders Probe on Sayyaf-AFP 'Connivance',

Davao City,  - (STAR) President Arroyo ordered yesterday a probe of allegations that some military officers had colluded with the Abu Sayyaf bandits in the kidnapping of 21 Filipinos and Americans.

Meanwhile, the Abu Sayyaf killed yesterday two military intelligence agents they had captured in a remote barangay in Patikul town in Sulu.

Army Lt. Col. Danilo Servando, Southern Command spokesman, identified the two intelligence agents as Sgt. Joaquin Incio and Cpl. Francisco Nacional, who both belong to the Military Intelligence Company.

Mrs. Arroyo told reporters at Marco Polo Hotel here Thursday night that Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes will investigate the Armed Forces and the Department of National Defense to determine the veracity of the allegations of Catholic priest Fr. Cirilo Nacorda, a former Abu Sayyaf hostage.

"I would not want to believe it but in the interest of transparency, I have (ordered) an inquiry of the defense department and Armed Forces itself," she said.

In Zamboanga City, Brig. Gen. Romeo Dominguez, former commander of Task Force Comet and one of those accused of complicity with the Abu Sayyaf, branded yesterday Nacorda’s exposé as "the concoction of a sick mind" and that he is ready to face the priest to court.

Dominguez said only a person with a "sick mind" would say that the military has been using the Abu Sayyaf in a "vicious war game" in Basilan.

"I’m sorry to say this but the father (Nacorda) is becoming a tool for propaganda by whoever is against the AFP," he said.

Dominguez said Nacorda should be investigated so the public would know "the kind of priest" Nacorda has become and to allow the people to get a real glimpse of the situation in Basilan.

Reyes said Nacorda’s statements are "wild, preposterous accusations" but that the military was conducting a fact-finding investigation of the matter.

"I know these officers and they will not do these things and I assure you these accusations are without basis," he said.

Nacorda has accused senior military officers of helping the Abu Sayyaf slip out of a military dragnet in Basilan after seizing hostages at St. Peter’s Church and the nearby Dr. Jose Ma. Torres Memorial Hospital last June 2.– Edith Regalado, Roel Pareño, Romel Bagares, Sandy Araneta