THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) belied claims that the bungled Jan. 25 operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao was a proxy war through the alleged involvement of the US.
During the resumption of the House hearing on the bloody incident, Muntinlupa City Rep. Rodolfo Biazon asked DFA Undersecretary Evan Garcia if the operation seeking to neutralize Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan could be considered as a proxy war.
“The Philippines is not involved in any proxy war,” Garcia said.
The DFA official said that the country’s efforts to combat terrorism are a realization of its mandate to protect its people.
“Our commitments in our fight against terrorism stem from national interest and the interest to protect our people,” he added.
The fight against terrorism necessitates international cooperation, Garcia said.
During the early part of Wednesday’s hearing, Gabriela Rep. Emerciana De Jesus said that the US has encroached on the country’s sovereignty by its involvement in the Mamasapano debacle.
“Kailangan palalimin (ang imbestigasyon) kasi ang nakakabahala, nakakaladkad tayo sa proxy war ng US…Sana ang maging ambag ng hearing na ito ay hindi sa culture of impunity o patuloy na napapalampas ang mga kasalanang ginawa ng mga tao na dapat managot,” De Jesus said.
Garcia denies any US hand in the Operation Exodus and maintained that it is “a 100% planned and implemented operation.”
However, findings of both the Board of Inquiry and the Senate revealed that some US troops are involved in the mission. AC