Congressmen defend RP peacekeeping mission to Iraq

Administration congressmen defended yesterday President Arroyo’s decision to send a 500-man humanitarian mission to Iraq, saying the cost outweighs all the benefits the country could reap from the mission.

Reacting to criticisms that the peace mission would cost the government more than P3 million a day, they said expenses would pale in comparison with the benefits the country can get such as construction contracts and employment opportunities.

"What are allowances and expenses compared to the 100,000 jobs that Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople expected to be given to Filipino workers?" they said in a joint statement.

The Palace defenders include House defense committee chairman Prospero Pichay, housing committee chairman Prospero Nograles, accounts committee chairman Robert "Ace" Barbers, natural resources committee chairman Eduardo Veloso, Western Samar Rep. Reynaldo Uy and Bulacan Rep. Willie Villarama.

Ople, who also heads the Task Force on Philippine Humanitarian Contingent, disclosed that the Philippine contingent leaving on May 15 consists of 500 personnel — 300 from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), 100 from the Philippine National Police (PNP), 39-40 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the rest from the Department of Health (DOH).

For this, he said the government needs around P600 million to cover the per diems and other expenses of the mission during their minimum six-month stay in Iraq.