Defense chief disfavors revival of “Hello Garci” probe

By Ronron
September 3, 2007

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. is not in favor of the revival at this time of the “Hello Garci” investigation at the Senate as it distracts soldiers from its mission of neutralizing the Abu Sayyaf Group and its allies, and the New People’s Army (NPA).

“Anything which will distract the focus at this point in time of the Armed Forces naturally should not be taken favorably,” Teodoro told reporters Monday when asked about the move of the Senate to investigate the alleged wiretapping incident during the 2004 elections.

“There are lots of things to focus on – Basilan, Sulu, and of course, we continue to keep a close watch on things in Luzon,” he said, referring to the operations against Moslem extremists in the south and the insurgents elsewhere, especially in the northern part of the country.

The Senate has decided again to probe the alleged wiretapping in 2004 to find ways to avoid similar incidents from happening again. The 2004 incident, which revealed the alleged electoral fraud in that year’s Presidential elections, marred the military establishment since it was allegedly done by elements of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).

Caught on tape talking then were a woman, purportedly President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and man, believed to be then Election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano. The discussion suggested electoral fraud since the woman was heard asking the man about her number of votes.

Asked if he would allow military officials this time to appear before the Senate if summoned, Teodoro said: “I’ll wait for the summons if there is one, and I’ll react at that time.”

“I will react properly if and when such an item comes to my desk for consideration,” he added.

Malacanang has earlier hinted that it will invoke Executive Order 464 when the Senate summons members of the executive branch for the wiretapping probe. The EO requires Presidential consent for those summoned to appear before Congressional hearings.

Teodoro yesterday did not say if he would abide by said policy.

“We are faced with so much problem now and with good gains on our part, probably, we should not destroy that momentum,” he said, referring to the military offensives in the south and against the communist rebels.

The Defense chief even shrugged off calls of religious leaders to halt the operations in Mindanao for the sake of peace and the welfare of civilians.

“We understand the feelings of the good bishops… Now, given the gains of the military in the area, the fusion between developmental projects and military operations and the sacrifices of the soldiers already made, to give unilateral stop to operations would be a dereliction of duty on our part,” Teodoro said.

It would even perhaps be “treasonous in the sense that it would be giving aid and comfort to the enemy,” he went on./DMS