“Hindi na sana siguro dapat palakihin yung issue. Gaya ng sinabi ko wala namang isyu kaugnay sa paninisi sa AFP. At saka wag na natin palakihin yung hidwaan sa pagitan ng AFP at PNP sa pamamagitan ng sisihan. Magkakampi ang AFP at PNP, wag natin bigyan ng hidwaan yugn dalawa,” the senator said in a news forum in Manila.
Escudero made the statement when asked about Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s request for the release of other information tackled during the executive session on the Mamasapano clash.
Information discussed in an executive session are confidential unless the Senate agrees to make it public.
Trillanes earlier said the release of information is necessary so that the public would know who were liable for the deaths of 44 Special Action Force troops during the operation to neutralize Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25.
The senator earlier said more than 120 SAF troopers involved in Oplan Exodus failed to aid their comrades and stayed idle in their respective positions.
Relieved SAF chief Director Getulio Napeñas Jr had blamed the AFP for failing to provide assistance to the police officers who were then engaged in a firefight with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and other armed groups.
Escudero: No need to release information on AFP
Escudero said the Senate report on Mamasapano clash put no blame on the AFP so there is no need to release information other than those earlier allowed by to committee to be included in its report.
“Hindi naman diniinan ng Senate report ang AFP kaya hindi ko alam kung ano ang issue dun. Nagtanong lamang ang Senate report kaugnay sa haba o ikli ng panahon na maari sanang naibigay yung suporta pero hindi naman diniinan ng Senate report ang AFP kaya hindi ko alam bakit nagiging issue pa siya,” he said.
“Pinagkasunduan na ng mga senador kung ano ang puwedeng isama sa report buhat sa executive session at ang inilagay doon ay yung napagkasunduan at napagbotohan lang na irelease sa publiko. Yung iba dun hindi na pinayagan o pinagkasunduan ng mga miyembro ng Senado na ilahad pa sa publiko,” he added.
The senator said the AFP and PNP should not be pitted against each other.
“Magkakampi ang AFP at PNP, wag nating bigyan ng hidwaan yung dalawa at dapat ang ituring nating kaaway ay yung mga lumalabag sa batas, yung mga terorista, yung mga kriminal at wag nating piliting magturuan kung sino ba talaga ang may kasalanan sa pagitan nilang dalawa. Magkakakampi tayo,” he said.
Escudero believed other statements issued during the executive session could cause conflict between among security forces if released to the public.
“Ano ba ang objective ng paglalabas nyan, para pag-awayin yung dalawa? Para ipakitang mas magaling o mas malakas yung isa at mahina yung kabila? Hindi ko maunawaan kung para saan o para que pa yun. Baka palakihin pa nito yung hidwaan, bangayan at turuan sa pagitan ng AFP at PNP. Hindi naman relevant na kasi yun,” he said. — JDS, GMA News
