The spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s Eastern Mindanao Command in Davao City indicated on Wednesday that the military organization has been thorough in ensuring that its personnel do not make the mistake of “sleeping with the enemy.”
“We have a counter-intelligence that does background investigation of our personnel to protect the organization,” said Maj. Ezra Balagtey during the regular PNP-AFP press forum at the Davao City Police Office.
Reacting to a question raised, he said there was need to validate the information let out by the Moro National Liberation Front that “some soldiers and policemen protect Abu Sayyaf members in exchange for a share in the ransom money.”
Radio DZMM attributed the statement to MNLF Emmanuel Fontanilla who added that Congress and the Executive (department) should investigate the reports.
“This should be validated,” said Maj. Balagtey.
He said the military organization monitors its personnel through its counter-intelligence to ensure none gets to be entangled romantically with perceived enemies of the state.
He added that in fairness to the Philippine National Police, it has set in place a transformation roadmap programmed designed to instill good governance and loyalty within its organization.
The army officer said detained Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza does not represent the whole police organization. “Masakit, pero siya’s isang tao lamang and she does not represent the whole.”
At the same time, Capt. Ryan Batchar, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division informed reporters that tourists can now visit unmolested the Aliwagwag Falls in Cateel, Davao Oriental.
He said the military has reinforced its men after it skirmished with a group of suspected NPAs 300 meters away from the waterfall.
“The advisory as of today is that tourists can go visit the place,” he said. “It has been fully secured to ensure nothing untoward happens to visitors.”
