Kabataan Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said the
cables, which were from 2005 to early 2010, show how the US government planned
to operate covertly within the ranks of Philippine forces.
"A careful perusal of these cables reveal
how deep US involvement in the covert counterterrorism efforts in Mindanao run.
From funding to intelligence gathering and actual operations, we can trace
Washington’s shadow movements in the ranks of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) through these
cables," Ridon said in a statement.
Ridon said one cable also revealed the details
of US government funding for counterterrorism operations in the Philippines.
The lawmaker said that in secret cable "09MANILA2271,"
the US embassy in Manila endorsed for approval a $34.1 million-budget from the
US government for various equipment to be used in counter-terrorism efforts in
2010.
"This cable clearly shows that the US
government is financing all counter-terrorism efforts, especially against JI
(Jemaah Islamiyah), in Mindanao. Remember that this cable only reveals the
budget for 2010. We believe that funding has continued in the subsequent
years," Ridon said.
Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan, a Malaysian
bomber linked to the JI, was the subject of the botched January 25 operation in
Mamasapano, Maguindanao that killed 44 members of the PNP Special Action Force
(SAF).
Ridon said the budget proposal from the US
embassy revealed by the leaked cables confirmed that there were drones and
other advanced equipment that were supposedly used in the Mamasapano operation.
The congressman said the leaked cables are
"compelling evidence" that the US is behind the operation and is
responsible for the deaths of the SAF troopers.
"These cables confirm what has long been
suspected – that counterterrorism efforts, especially in Mindanao, are directed
and spearheaded by the US. It comes as no surprise then that the Mamasapano
operation was also directed by US forces," Ridon claimed.
In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson
Edwin Lacierda shrugged off the allegations made by Ridon.
"Congressman Ridon is coming from the
Makabayan bloc, which obviously has a rhetoric that is very polarized,"
Lacierda told Palace reporters.
He said Ridon's allegations will have to be
answered in the various government probes on the Mamasapano incident.
"Until such time that those questions are
answered, he is just merely giving his personal opinion or personal conclusion
of which so far none has been elicited from the various inquiries,"
Lacierda said.
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