January 29, 2002, The Philippine Star, CBCP backs US help vs Sayyaf, by Sandy Araneta,

January 29, 2002, The Philippine Star, CBCP backs US help vs Sayyaf, by Sandy Araneta,

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) welcomed yesterday US military help to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group but opposed any combat role for American troops. Many people in Mindanao are exasperated with the Philippine military's failures against the Abu Sayyaf and US troops could make a difference, CBCP president Archbishop Orlando Quevedo said.

In London, President Arroyo said she and British Prime Minister Tony Blair had agreed to push for a "global interfaith dialogue" to promote better understanding among Christians, Muslims and members of other religions. Emerging from a 30-minute dialogue with Blair at No. 10 Downing street, the President said she also asked for help from Scotland Yard to deal with kidnappings in the Philippines.

The President said the Philippines had long initiated interfaith dialogues, and she was pleased to learn that Britain was moving in the same direction. Meanwhile, in Zamboanga, where up to 70 American military trainers have arrived, there is great concern that the trainers are at great risk of being killed or abducted by the Abu Sayyaf. "We are taking all actions and counter-measures to prevent such incidents," vowed military Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu.

But giving a new facet to the participation of the US soldiers in the joint military exercises, National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said yesterday President Arroyo has not entirely ruled out the possibility of allowing US  troops to engage the Abu Sayyaf in combat to rescue the American hostages. Golez said this "policy option" can be justified by the Constitution and can be taken if warranted.

At a press conference held at the CBCP offices in Intramuros, Manila, Quevedo said the bishops are refraining from issuing any statements regarding the constitutionality and the legal aspects of the military exercises, but they are also aware of the sufferings of the people in places where the kidnappings are taking place, particularly in Lamitan, Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur. The CBCP held over the weekend its 84th plenary assembly at the Betania Resthouse in Tagaytay City.

"(People) are really suffering from the atrocities of the Abu Sayyaf," Quevedo said. "Months and months of military operations have not ended the kidnapping orgy of the Abu Sayyaf. We had hoped that our own forces would be able to take care of that, they had made many promises that this agony would end, in two weeks, or in two months or in six months." He said it had not been forthcoming. "We have heard from them (the people) that their desire is that if our own military cannot do this effectively, and in a short time, then we need help," the archbishop said.

"The help has been given; whether it is constitutional or not, the CBCP will 'leave it to the court'," he said. Quevedo, however, urged the US military to strictly follow the rules of the games, that they should not engage in combat and act only as advisers. He also reminded the Philippine military that their objective is to pursue the criminals and the kidnappers until they are caught or, if resisting, killed.

He laughed off rumors that nuclear arms might be brought in by the Americans. "Nuclear arms in Basilan? You have to be realistic!" he said. Not nuclear arms but the safety of the American troops is the biggest worry of the Southcom. Up to 70 US military "trainers" have arrived in Zamboanga City to set up a communications and logistics center for the six-month operations. About 600 American personnel are expected to arrive in the country, the largest deployment of American troops abroad after the ongoing US campaign in Afghanistan. The operations may include forays to Basilan island, where the Abu Sayyaf is holding a US couple hostage, raising fears that the American "trainers" could be killed or abducted by the Islamic guerrillas. "In a guerrilla environment there is no such thing as a frontline," said Southcom chief Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu. "They (Abu Sayyaf) can hit you on the back, on the side. But we have taken measures to prevent as much as possible the chance of any untoward incident against the American soldiers," he told reporters. He added that US troops are "prepared for this risk."

'Policy option'

In a radio interview, National Security Adviser Roilo said that combat operations by the US troops in the South is a "policy option' that can be justified in the Constitution. Golez made this statement to clarify Mrs. Arroyo's statement before the Makati Business Club on Friday, where she said that the decision not to allow Americans to engage Abu Sayyaf extremists in actual combat is not based on constitutional parameters "because I believe it will be justified even if they did."

"To me it's not a constitutional issue. It is a policy issue," the President said.

That earned the ire of Sen. Joker Arroyo who accused her of ignorance. In a subsequent interview with The STAR, however Golez said that what he meant in the radio interview is that constitutional provisions governing the presence of US troops in the country should no longer be the subject of debate, because Mrs. Arroyo is firm in her decision not to allow American soldiers to fight the bandits.

"What I'm saying is that we should not drag the Constitution into this issue because from the very start (the agreement is that) US troops are here only to train," Golez said. He also expressed optimism that the Abu Sayyaf will be crushed in one year as the RP-US war games start in Basilan and Zamboanga. "In a campaign like this, it is very difficult, especially if you are talking about eradication. We would like it to be done as quickly as possible but we know that is going to be a long fight," he said. "But in the case of the Abu Sayyaf we hope that we can effectively eradicate them within a one-year period, especially in the Basilan area."

Golez gave assurances that the American soldiers will be going back to their country after six months. "The detractors are raising all kinds of ghosts and goblins. We assure you that after six months, the Americans are gone and they will be back home." Golez also reiterated yesterday the challenged hurled by the Palace to the groups opposing the conduct of the military exercises to take their issue to the Supreme Court to once and for all put a halt to disputes.

"The groups opposing the joint exercises, well it appears that these are the same groups opposed to the Visiting Forces Agreement," he said. "The best way to resolve the issue is to take it up with the Supreme Court."

'Go to court'

"Those who have questions on the legality of the exercises can just go to the court," said Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr., chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security. He announced yesterday that his committee would no longer lead the investigation into the matter and give way to the Senate committee on foreign relations chaired by Sen. Blas Ople. He said he would still attend the second Senate hearing on the exercises on Thursday but would let Ople run the show. "The majority wanted my committee to lead but a senior senator like Ople should be given courtesy." Magsaysay disclosed the matter had been discussed during a dinner among 14 senators and President Arroyo on Friday, but Ople called for another hearing so Vice President and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teofisto Guingona Jr. could say his piece.

Magsaysay said that as a matter of protocol, the vice president, being also part of Malacanang's "official family," should not be subpoenaed but only invited to attend. Meanwhile, a separate human rights center was ordered formed by Justice Secretary Hernando Perez in Basilan and Zamboanga City to handle complaints against military men participating in the Balikatan exercises.

The secretary told reporters yesterday he has issued a memorandum to Chief Public Attorney Persida Rueda-Acosta to establish these human rights centers immediately. The desks will receive complaints of violations of human rights as well as violations of our criminal laws, not only by US servicemen but also by local military men.

"We are studying the feasibility of putting up another one in Clark," Perez said. In March 2000, the Visiting Forces Agreement was put to a test after three crewmembers of a visiting US ship in Cebu mauled a taxi driver, raising questions of jurisdiction over the American soldiers. The cabbie charged the three servicemen before the Cebu City court. However, the potentially embarrassing diplomatic row over jurisdiction was averted when the victim later agreed to an amicable settlement. — With reports Paolo Romero, Marichu Villanueva, Aurea Calica, Delon Porcalla