http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080712-147944/Malacaang-defends-ISAFP-mission-to-monitor-unrest

By Michael Lim Ubac, Jerome Aning
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:37:00 07/12/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) is indispensable to the proper functioning of the task force that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has created to monitor food and energy security and head off efforts to create disturbances, Malacañang said Friday.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza defended the inclusion of the ISAFP in the Energy Contingency Task Force amid concerns that the ISAFP would be used against political opponents of the Arroyo administration.

“Let us feel secure at the thought that these agencies will accordingly act the very purpose for which they are established, and that is public welfare,” said Dureza.

The ISAFP is headed by Brig. Gen. Romeo Prestoza who until he took over at ISAFP on June 3, was the President’s chief of security as commander of the Presidential Security Group.

Dureza said ISAFP should be allowed to carry out its role in the task force, “unless in the future they shall do otherwise, in which event they shall be judged accordingly. But for the moment, let’s give them a chance to perform.”

He dismissed fears that ISAFP would be used to spy on the opposition and other sectors critical of the President.

“Let us wait whether the apprehensions will happen. [The ISAFP] is part of the task force to provide information,” he said.

Dureza also discounted claims that the task force was created because of fears of food and fuel riots happening in the streets of Manila and key cities could undermine the stability of the Arroyo administration.

He said the Palace had yet to monitor fresh attempts to bring down the government.

“ISAFP has a mandate, we’ll go by its mandate,” said Dureza, referring to its pivotal role as the government’s top intelligence arm.

Dureza also denied that Executive Order 731 was issued to strengthen the government’s emergency powers to deal with the global scourge of rising fuel and food prices.

In EO 731, issued on June 7 but released only on Thursday, the President orders the ISAFP to monitor the “political and security developments” related to the oil and food price issue.

Under the EO, titled “Activating and Reorganizing the Energy Operations Board (created in 1990) into the Energy Contingency Task Force Under the National Food and Energy Council,” the ISAFP is to “issue timely intelligence assessments of political and security developments related to the oil price issue and alert government offices on the same. It shall provide advice on matters affecting national security.”

The League of Filipino Students (LFS) denounced the order, saying it could end up targeting legitimate mass protests pushing for reasonable reforms.

The Pamalakaya (Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas) fisherfolk group said it could stifle freedom of expression and should be opposed.

LFS chair Vencer Crisostomo said the order signaled “militarization” of the food and oil crisis and “bears with it a martial law-like feel.”

Pamalakaya chair Fernando Hicap said the executive order should be opposed “in the parliament of the streets, in the court of public opinion and in any appropriate court.” With editing by INQUIRER.net