DFA wants more answers from US

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has sought further explanations from the US Embassy in Manila on the reported spying activities on Philippine officials.

"We want to know what was distorted," he said. "What statement did they make or whether in fact these reports were baseless. We will pursue this — there’s no question about that."

Romulo said the US Embassy has promised to provide him with a "fuller report" following a statement by charge d’affaires Paul Jones that intelligence reports were distorted.

"Like any close partners, the Philippines and the United States brief each other on policies and developments on matters that are of mutual interest," he said.

Romulo said he and Jones did not discuss the intelligence reports and the country’s political situation during his visit to the US where he met with US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, Director for National Intelligence John Negroponte and other ranking Washington officials.

The meetings focused on the achievements of the Philippines in the war against terrorism as well as its gains in fiscal reforms, the economy and the peace process, he added.

The Philippines and the US would meet on a more regular basis to brief each other on developments from both sides, Romulo said.

During a meeting with acting Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Edsel Custodio Wednesday, Jones reiterated the US Embassy’s policy of neither confirming nor denying alleged US intelligence reports, especially since these have something to do with the case of cashiered police Senior Superintendent Michael Ray Aquino, who is facing espionage charges in the US.

Romulo had just arrived from the US.

The alleged intelligence reports reportedly contain detailed analyses of the political situation in the country.

These reports claimed a coup plot was being hatched against President Arroyo by several groups, including former president Fidel Ramos.

The reports were allegedly prepared by different officials at the US embassy. — Marvin Sy