Palace: No response yet from President on Binay’s security council suggestion

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III has yet to respond to Vice President Jejomar Binay’s call to create a National Security Council which will reassess the country’s security situation, especially after the Mamasapano clash, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

“Wala pang napaguusapan sa hanay ng gabinete (It has not yet been tackled at the level of the Cabinet),” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a Palace briefing.

“Wala pa akong natatanggap na impormasyon mula sa Pangulo hinggil dyan sa ideya ng National Security Council (I have not yet received any information from the President regarding the idea of the National Security Council),” he added.

Nevertheless, he said the President continues to consult with local leaders despite the absence of an NSC.

Earlier in the day, Binay urged Aquino to convene the council to prepare for “escalating conflicts in Mindanao.”

“We need to be prepared. We have to discuss not only what’s happening now but how to be ready for the future. We need to invite persons who possess knowledge and experience on matters pertaining to national security,” Binay said.

The statement came more than three months after the bloody clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, which left 44 policemen, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters and at least five civilians dead.

The incident has caused controversy, with Aquino being accused of allowing a suspended official to direct the operation, and uncertainty when it comes to the ongoing peace process with the MILF. Earlier reports said the policemen, who succeeded in killing international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, were caught up in a misencounter with the MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

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