Tuesday, August 14, 2007 Senator nixes House inquiry on Sulu, Basilan conflict By Ben O. Tesiorna
SENATOR Panfilo Lacson opposed calls for a legislative inquiry on the growing armed conflict in Basilan and Sulu, asking his fellow lawmakers to shut up and stop acting as "armchair generals."
Lacson said if the lawmakers want to contribute to a solution in the Mindanao discord, they would be better off focusing on how to help the families left behind by government troops slain in the clashes.
"It would be much better for lawmakers to keep quiet for now instead of commenting on the situation from the comfort of their air-conditioned offices. They may only be contributing to the problem by adding to the confusion," he said.
The former national police chief said that "while there is a proper time for lawmakers to call for an investigation into what caused the conflict, now is definitely not the time."
The senator urged his colleagues to just leave the matter to the military, which is the expert on what tactical maneuvers to undertake in Mindanao at this time.
"Perhaps it would be better if lawmakers thought of ways to extend assistance to relatives left behind by those killed or injured in the line of duty. That is definitely better than commenting on something they know nothing about," Lacson said.
The senator said it would be better for the lawmakers to expeditiously pass Senate Bill 195, which seeks to extend special financial assistance and benefits to the family or beneficiary of any police or military personnel or fireman killed or permanently incapacitated while in the performance of his or her duty, so as to alleviate the plight of soldiers' families. (With press release)
