MANILA, Philippines – While there are “wounds” that need to be healed because of the botched Mamasapano operation, the military and the police will continue to work together to address all possible threats against the country, security officials told a Senate hearing on Tuesday.
“The PNP (Philippine National Police) is united with the Armed Forces and we can address all threats in the threat matrix that has been put together by NSA and has been discussed,” Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said during the Senate investigation on the Mamasapano incident.
“In fact, over the last three years, the trust of Secretary Voltz and myself has been joint operation that’s why in all regions—at the regional level, at provincial level, at the city and municipal level, at various level of the PNP, we have counterparts in the AFP that is pursuant to a direction that Sec Voltz’ have been pushing,” he said, referring to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.
“I don’t want to let the day pass that there is this hanging question. I’m prepared to write a fuller elaboration on this matter, but let no one make any mistake. The forces of the state—the Police, and we have a good working relationship with the Armed Forces of the Philippines—is ready to meet these threats effectively and in a timely manner for the safety of our people,” Roxas added.
He gave this assurance after Senator Gringo Honasan inquired if the security forces were ready to respond together to possible internal and external threats.
Gazmin, who was also present in the hearing, gave the same assurance, pointing out how the AFP and the PNP have worked together in the past.
“There are wounds to be healed, yes but this should not affect the very good relation that has been established…” said the Defense Secretary.