Lawmaker wants security adviser fired

National Security Adviser Noberto Gonzales should be fired for agreeing that the government pay reparations to the Moro National Liberation Front (MILF), an opposition congressman said yesterday.

House Deputy Minority Leader Rolex Suplico said Gonzales had "wantonly" violated the Constitution when he gave the "go-signal" for the MILF to seek reparations from the government.

"Gonzales is indeed a national security threat, as alleged by Lakas congressmen," he said. "I confirm that. I thought the last instance the word reparations was used was during World War II, when Japan, as a losing country, was forced to pay the victors."

Suplico said President Arroyo’s partymates in the House, particularly those in the committee on national defense, would "unanimously" ask that Gonzales be ousted from the Cabinet.

"I wonder if we lost the war with the MILF that now we have to pay them reparations," he said. "It was a classic case of adding insult to injury, especially since the deal granted the MILF sovereignty over its areas, fly its own flag and receive private and public funds."

Suplico said Gonzales had allowed Malaysian authorities to "review" the final draft of the preliminary peace agreement with the MILF before it was signed by government and rebel representatives.

"We do not know what provisions were inserted after that," he said.

"But that act alone is high treason. We do not know whether his loyalty is with the MILF or with Malaysia. His loyalty is certainly not with the Philippines.

"National interest demands that President Arroyo should immediately dismiss Gonzales. He should be banned from holding any public position whatsoever."

When Gonzales was presidential adviser on special concerns last year, Mrs. Arroyo sent him to Malaysia to discuss the holding of peace talks with the MILF in Kuala Lumpur.

"As far as I’m concerned, whatever it takes to bring the (MILF) back to the peace process, we should do it," he said.

"The breakthrough is the MILF wanted to continue the peace talks in Malysia."

During preliminary talks with the MILF, Gonzales had reportedly given in to rebel demands that the government pay them reparations as part of any peace agreement.

Gonzales said he hoped the talks with the MILF would help put an end to retaliatory attacks against government troops in Mindanao.

Malacañang officials held the "back-channel" talks with MILF representatives under the sponsorship of Malaysia.

On May 7, 2002, Mrs. Arroyo witnessed the signing of an agreement between the government and the MILF as part of "back-channel" talks brokered by the Malaysian government.

Mrs. Arroyo said she discussed with then Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad the progress of the talks which were being held by Gonzales and then MILF vice chairman for military affairs Al Haj Murad.

Mrs. Arroyo ordered the "back-room" negotiations in March 2002 to salvage the peace talks with MILF, which were suspended in 2001.

"We are impatient for peace, and we are looking for the most effective way ... to achieve peace," she said. –Delon Porcalla