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Sunday, February 23, 2003
Nene slams Reyes for allowing US troops in Abu hunt
By Charles Raymond Maxey
SENATOR Aquilino Pimentel is not about to stop his tirade against Defense Sec. Angelo Reyes, blaming him for crafting a joint military exercise that will allow American soldiers join Philippine forces in combat operations in Sulu and Zamboanga.
Pimentel, speaking at the Mindanao Summit of Muslim Leaders here Saturday, said the forthcoming Balikatan 03-1 is against the Constitution because foreign troops will participate in actual combat.
"To me, this is the most idiotic, stupid and crazy idea that the Department of National Defense of this country can ever conceive of," Pimentel said.
"Secretary Reyes should be held responsible for the expected scenario of mayhem and bloodshed," he added, referring to the imminent backlash from among the Tausugs in Sulu.
Pimentel said as reported in the Washington Post and the New York Times, American troops will be actively participating in combat operations against terrorists groups in the country.
The senator said he believes in the Pentagon more than Malacaņang, which earlier denied the leading US newspapers' report.
And in the event this happens, Pimentel said the Americans will become an "invading force."
"Under the Constitution, foreign troops should never be allowed to do combat operations in this country," Pimentel said.
Pimentel's blast drew cheers from around 300 participants of the Summit.
He has been training his guns on Reyes since last week when the military launched an offensive against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front strongholds in Pikit, North Cotabato.
Pimentel blamed Reyes for the onslaught which displaced thousands of village folks, saying the military offensive was carried on for days despite a Malacaņang order of a ceasefire.
"Who is the President of this country, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo or Angelo Reyes. That maybe harsh but I intend to speak while there is still time," he said, drawing more applause from the audience.
As to the participation of American troops in Sulu, Pimentel said he hopes the President will finally assert her authority.
"There is still time for the President to put her foot down. There is still time for the President to stop this madness," he said. (With AFD)
(February 23, 2003 issue)
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