OPPOSITION SOLONS TO SEEK

PROBE ON BEHEADING FOOTAGE

House Assistant Minority Floor Leader Gilbert Remulla today said members of the minority bloc are set to file a joint resolution that would call for an inquiry on the circumstances surrounding the media release of the controversial two-hour video footage of alleged Abu Sayyaf members beheading their captives.

          Describing the public release of the video footage as reckless and very disturbing, Remulla said the members of the opposition led by House Minority Floor Leader Carlos Padilla (Nueva Vizcaya) would want to know the real reason why the gruesome and disturbing video footage was made available to the media. He added they are also interested to find out who sanctioned the release amid conflicting claims by Malacañang and military officials.

          “There is an overwhelming suspicion that video footage was made public to justify Malacañang’s submission to pressures by the American government that their troops should have a direct hand in combat operations against the Abu Sayyaf and in the effort to rescue the two American hostages, Martin and Gracia Burnham,” Remulla said.

          Remulla said that the inquiry would be also focused in the formulation of measures that would set clearer parameters on future joint military exercises between the Philippines and other countries.

          At the same time, Remulla stressed that the still unanswered question on whether the Abu Sayyaf or the Moro Islamic Liberation Front ((MILF) are the ones who are on the video should not eclipse the real issue.

          He explained that while it is also important to find out what particularly group was on the video, the reason that compelled the government to release it to the media is more disturbing.

          “ This is really a desperate act. It still puzzles me why it (footage) was made public when in fact every one is already aware of the brutality and the barbarism of the Abu Sayyaf. Is it because Malacañang is now under immense pressure from the US government so that its troops are allowed to initiate actions against this group and downplay the fact that this will be a clear violation not only of the Constitution but also the letter and intent of the Visiting Forces Agreement?” Remulla said.

          And even if it was the Abu Sayyaf group that was on the video, Remulla said its release to the media is highly irresponsible because it only accentuated the agenda of the bandit group, which is to sow terror not only in the Philippines but in other countries as well.

          “ The gruesome scene was video taped to promote terror and the government was gullible enough to bring terror right into our television sets,” Remulla said.