| PNP chief denies rift with AFP chief QUEZON CITY, (ABS-CBN) -
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Panfilo Lacson has denied that he and Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Angelo Reyes are quarreling over the way military
operations are being undertaken against the extremist Abu Sayyaf group.
In an interview Monday, Lacson said his differences with Reyes
over the way operations are being undertaken to neutralize the Abu Sayyaf, and rescue its
17 hostages has not resulted in a "rift."
Lacson was earlier quoted as saying that he was opposed to air
strikes being undertaken by the military to flush out the bandit group in its lair in Jolo
province.
In a radio interview Saturday, he said it was a mistake on the
part of Reyes to order an air strike when he should have resorted to a commando-type of
operation in assaulting the Abu Sayyaf.
Other police sources claimed the decision to employ air strikes was "totally"
not discussed at the height of the planning stages.
The PNP chief said nevertheless, it was still the discretion
of President Estrada who approved the military operations against the group, if the air
strikes would be used.
It can be recalled that Lacson also criticized the military at
the height of operations against the Abu Sayyaf faction of Khadaffy Janjalani and Abu
Sabaya in Basilan last April.
The rebel tandem eventually escaped to Sulu along with their remaining hostages abducted
last March. After releasing them, the Basilan-based rebels allegedly kidnapped
Afro-American Jeffrey Schilling.
Lacson said he was only airing his side when he said the
military should have surprised the Abu Sayyaf instead by creeping up on them by foot. He
said the air strikes against the bandit group have only rattled the guerillas into evading
the military.
Back to Sipadan/Pandanan Hostages News
Back
to This Week's Borneo News |
