By Ronron
September 6, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will not order a pull out of its contingent in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in East Timor, defying a demand of a political group there, which stemmed from an alleged making of a political statement by the contingent head.
Deputy Director General Avelino Razon, Jr., PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, told Camp Crame reporters Thursday that there will be no recall order unless the United Nations issues one.
“No. That will be based on the decision of the United Nations, and not because of a (demand of a) particular party in East Timor,” Razon said when asked if Supt. Joel Doria or other contingent members will be ordered to return to Manila.
The Department of Foreign Affairs had said that Jose Teixeira, Parliamentarian of Fretilin, one of East Timor’s major political groups, has asked for the recall of Doria for allegedly accusing Fretilin to be involved in organizing violence in East Timor.
Doria’s statement was supposedly found in a Time Magazine article on August 6, 2007.
The DFA said Teixeira went on to call the PNP as “notoriously corrupt” and “with a reputation for brutality.”
“We have asked the contingent to submit a report to our Directorate for Plans with regard to the complaint of Fretilin,” Razon said, adding that an investigation is already being conducted.
Asked about the policy of the PNP as regards political statements, Razon said: “It is an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) that the policemen should not get involved in political disputes, whether here in our country or in other countries.”
The DFA had earlier explained that the Philippines is only answerable to the UN and not to the East Timor government with regard to the issue.
It also defended the credibility of the 145 Filipino peacekeepers there, citing even the UN Service Medal award given to them.
The DFA said the Filipino peacekeepers in East Timor will end their tour of duty on October 16, 2007./DMS
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