Wednesday, August 04, 2004 Reopening of probe on Dos Palmas kidnapping sought
SEN. Sergio Osmeña III will file a resolution asking the Senate committee on national defense to reopen the investigation on the Dos Palmas hostage taking
Osmena wants to know from one of the former hostages, Gracia Burnham, if the military officers were not involved in the payment of ransom for her release and that of the other hostages.
The proposal came after reports said Burnham did not clear the military of collusion with the Abu Sayyaf during her testimony in a hearing of kidnapping charges against members of the Moro rebel group.
"To me, if you don't get to the bottom of things, you still have to continue pursuing the truth until the truth finally comes out," Osmeña said.
He added that he has four boxes of evidence and information on the issue, enough to reopen the legislative investigation.
But majority of the senators opposed the reopening of the issue saying that the case had already been discussed lengthily and thoroughly in the Senate in 2001.
Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr, the former chairman of the national defense committee that held the investigation, said they already released a report on the matter in 2002.
"For me that is already useless, the case is closed. We have to move forward. The Senate is facing new challenges," Magsaysay saidm adding that he would leave the decision to Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, being the new chairman of the committee.
But Biazon said he is not in favor of reopening the investigation but rather give the Armed Forces of the Philippines a chance to clear its name and cleanse it ranks.
"I don't think it is time for us to reopen it without acquiring the clarity of the situation, whether Gracia Burnham make a testimony under oath about the involvement or non-involvement of the military officers in kidnap for ransom," he added.
Opposition Sens. Panfilo Lacson and Edgardo Angara likewise opposed the proposal stressing that it would be a waste of time since the Senate has to tackle proposals on budget deficit and taxation, which are more pressing issues than this.
Only Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. supported the reopening of the issue because this would vindicate the military officers. JMR
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