She’s not a terrorist however loosely linked with al-Qaeda.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) formally cleared yesterday journalist Bernadette Tamayo of any links with the Abu Sayyaf.
"This is to certify that Ms. Bernadette Tamayo is not a member nor connected with the Abu Sayyaf kidnap for ransom group and was never implicated in any illegal activities inimical to national security," stated a certification issued by Brig. Gen. Glenn Rabonza, AFP Deputy Chief for Intelligence.
This certification was issued upon the orders of AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Roy Cimatu after Tamayo threatened to sue the military intelligence community for including her in a rogues’ gallery of wanted Abu Sayyaf bandits posted in Zamboanga, Basilan and Sulu.
Tamayo welcomed the certification but said the damage has been done and that she would have to bear the burden of carrying the certification with her wherever she goes to prevent any bounty hunter or intelligence operative from mistakenly apprehending her.
"Though I’m looking forward to a normal life after this boo-boo, it pains me to think that a document would forever enslave me," Tamayo said.
The AFP Southern Command (Southcom) issued a similar certification. However, in an attempt to contain the controversy generated by the fiasco, the AFP said the Intelligence Service of the AFP (ISAFP) had nothing to do with the blunder, instead saying the battalion commander based in Lamitan town, Basilan, was responsible for making the poster.