Palace reiterates commitment to US-led terror war

The Arroyo administration will continue the fight against terrorism "side by side" with the United States under the leadership of US President George W. Bush, Malacañang said yesterday.

"We will remain at the forefront in fighting terrorism not only in our country but also in the region, fighting side by side with America and our global allies," Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said yesterday.

Bunye said the continuing gains made by the Philippine government in the global fight against terrorism "are clear proof of our determination and the success of our alliances."

"Our people will stay the course with the world in the fight for peace and freedom everywhere," he said.

Bunye made the statement after Mr. Bush cited the Philippines as a battleground in the war against al-Qaeda in his 90-minute televised debate with Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry.

President Arroyo herself expressed satisfaction over the mention of the Philippines during the debate of Bush and Kerry.

During a visit to Davao City, Mrs. Arroyo watched the televised debate and just smiled after blurting out "good."

She refused to make comments after watching the 90-minute debate.

Administration Sen. Ralph Recto, on the other hand, said the country ended up with a bruised reputation when Mr. Bush mentioned the Philippines during the debate.

"This is a global effort," the US leader prefaced his response to a question on how he was going to pursue the fugitive Osama bin Laden.

Then he followed it up with: "But the front on this war is more than just one place. The Philippines — we’ve got help — we’re helping them there to bring — to bring al-Qaeda affiliates to justice."

Recto said the mention of the Philippines before a worldwide TV audience as major battleground in the war against terror "is not the kind of publicity that we want."

"First, it is false. If Mindanao is being referred to, all is quiet in the southern front; in fact, it’s not a front anymore. Guns have long been turned into ploughshares in that area. Peace is about to be won," Recto said.

According to Recto, the Philippines ended up as a "collateral damage in the Bush-Kerry verbal war."

"There is no al-Qaeda presence here as there are no atomic bombs in Iraq," Recto said.

Sen. Manuel Villar said the mention of the Philippines amid the international network of terrorists should not affect us.

"Instead we should hold our head high as Filipinos and be proud because our programs are aimed towards the best interest of our country," Villar said.

But Villar said the statements made by Mr. Bush made it appear the Philippines has not done its part in the fight against global terror.

"That gives an indication that the US does and says it pleases for his own good only," he said.

"With his statement, President Bush is trying to taint our image in the international community. I don’t think this is any way to treat a long-time US ally such as the Philippines," he said.

Villar said it is not right for Mr. Bush to link the Philippines in his problem with Iraq. "He’s got a lot of problems in his candidacy right now. He should not include the Philippines in his campaign to be re-elected," he said.

Relations between the US and the Philippines turned sour after Mrs. Arroyo decided to withdraw its peacekeeping forces from Iraq a month ahead of its schedule in the effort to save the life of Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz taken hostage by Iraqi militants. — With Edith Regalado