NDF slams US ‘meddling;’ AFP silent on offer

BY REINIR PADUA

THE National Democratic Front of the Philippines yesterday condemned the "interventionist" statement of US Pacific Forces commander Adm. Timothy Keating Wednesday that the US military will help the Armed Forces crush the communist New People’s Army if requested by the Arroyo government.

Malacañang was silent on the offer but AFP information chief Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said the military can "strategically" defeat the NPA in the next three years even without the assistance of the US military.

Fidel Agcaoili, chair of NDFP Human Rights Committee, said Keating’s "arrogant" statement is part of the (US President George W.) Bush war of terror and scheme to escalate further what he called ongoing US military intervention in the Philippines and the consequent gross and systematic violations of human rights in the country.

BY WENDELL VIGILIA

CEBU Rep. Pablo Garcia yesterday said he will accept the post of minority leader if he loses to Speaker Jose de Venecia in the speakership race.

Garcia said some opposition congressmen who want to protect their interests have prodded him to do so.

"Those in the opposition are now telling me that in case I don’t make it, which at the moment is unlikely, they will ask me to keep the post of minority leader. Because knowing my relationship with the President, they can be sure that their interests will be protected," he said.