Wednesday, August 04, 2004 Editorial: Leave the US-led coalition
WASHINGTON is reportedly reviewing the role of the Philippines in the so-called US-led "coalition of the willing". The reevaluation of the country's involvement comes after President Arroyo pulled out Filipino peacekeeping troops from Iraq in exchange for the release of abducted Filipino truck driver Angelo dela Cruz.
The government should not fret if the US decides to kick Manila from the coalition. It only goes to show that Washington does not fully comprehend the rationale behind the decision to pull out the Filipino troops.
In fact, the Arroyo administration should leave the coalition especially after questions have cropped up on the reported existence of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
Even sectors of the American society doubt whether the invasion of Iraq was justified because since the invasion and the ouster of Saddam, there have been no WMDs discovered in that country. To recall, the alleged existence of such weapons was the main reason why Baghdad was invaded.
Even without the coalition, the country and its law enforcement agencies are capable of fighting terrorists. With our previous experience with terrorism, the government, military and police have learned valuable lessons to address such a threat.
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