Malacanang takes responsibility for fund distribution to rebel groups

Saturday, November 5, 2011
MALACANANG is taking full responsibility for funds it has distributed to rebel groups, denying claims it is blaming previous administrations after it received criticism.
“We take full responsibility for that,” Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in an interview over state-run dzRB radio. “That’s why we are defending them and we are explaining to the people why there is P5 million and P31 million…We are not skirting from that responsibility.”
Lacierda made the statement after former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada belied the Palace’s claims that the P31-million assistance to Rebolusyornaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB) was promised by his administration.
The P5-million assistance to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to create the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute meanwhile was said to have been committed by the government under the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Silvestre Afable, chief peace negotiator with the MILF during the Arroyo administration, confirmed the statement of Malacanang despite the denial of former presidential adviser on the peace process Jesus Dureza.
Lacierda clarified that they are not blaming the previous administrations but was just merely making a timeline of how the agreements were entered into.
Aquino’s spokesperson further said that the statement of former budget secretary Benjamin Diokno of the Estrada administration was correct when he said that the present administration can always cancel the agreements entered into by previous leaders.
“That’s true. We’ve been reviewing all the contacts of the previous administration and based on the recommendations, these are worth pursuing so why cancel them?” he stressed.
Bishops ‘misinformed’
Catholic bishops have also slammed the government for giving dole-outs through livelihood assistance programs to the rebel groups saying that such actions will only hamper the administration’s pursuit of peace.
Lacierda said the bishops might have been misinformed on the financial aid provided to the rebel groups.
He said Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, who had been a chaplain for the military, is “obviously misinformed” after being quoted in newspaper reports that the assistance will cause the death of more soldiers.
“If that quote is correct, I don’t think that’s right. He is obviously misinformed because General Bautista agrees that this is important to rebel returnees,” added Lacierda referring to General Emmanuel Bautista, whose area of responsibility includes provinces where former ABB members live.
“We have to reorient their frame of mind. We should provide them with means to integrate themselves back to the community…so they are able to be constructive members of the society once more,” Lacierda further said.
He also denied that the financial assistance is a form of bribery.
ATS up to military
Meanwhile, Malacanang said it is leaving the issue of area of temporary stay (ATS) to the military after Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, who is set to retire next week, said that the ATS claimed by the MILF no longer exists.
In the bloody clash in Al-Barka Basilan last month which left 19 Special Forces soldiers dead, the MILF claimed the military did not coordinate with them when it planned to enter its ATS.
Lacierda said that the Palace is leaving the issue of ATS and dealings with the MILF and lawless elements to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Coordinating Committees on Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH).
“The general approach there right now is we leave it to the AFP and the CCH…so as to avoid confusion,” he said.
President Aquino meanwhile is set to announce Ortiz’s replacement next week before he leaves for his Hawaii trip tentatively scheduled from November 8 to 13. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/11/05/malacanang-takes-responsibility-fund-distribution-rebel-groups-188945

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