Opposition backs GMA on US response

The opposition in Congress backed yesterday President Arroyo’s policy decision to extend the country’s full and unqualified support to the planned military action against terrorism by an international coalition led by the United States.

Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao made this announcement at the end of a 90-minute meeting of the National Security Council at Malacañang. The NSC is comprised of Mrs. Arroyo and congressional leaders.

"It was a very successful meeting of the NSC where the opposition represented by the minority leaders of Congress, expressed their unanimous support for the UN Security Council Resolution 1368 and the President’s policy of extending full support to the international coalition against terrorism," Tiglao said.

"There was a very admirable expression of solidarity that transcended partisan interests," he added.

Tiglao quoted remarks by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. that the terrorist attacks were not only against the US but against all of humanity.

"Since we are part of humanity, we are obligated to join the fight against global terrorism," the spokesman quoted Pimentel as saying.

Tiglao said the NSC agreed with the analysis of Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. that there is a "remote possibility" that the US-led international coalition would need to use Philippine air and sea ports as transit points and staging grounds for troops.

Much more remote, he said, is the likelihood that the Philippines would be asked to send combat troops in the area of conflict.

"In the remote possibility though that these would be required, the NSC consensus was that the Philippines would allow the use of its ports as transit points and staging grounds," Tiglao said.

"Needless to say, such assistance would be undertaken within the framework of our Constitution and our laws," Tiglao quoted the President’s assurances to leaders of Congress.

Mrs. Arroyo also reassured lawmakers that she would seek congressional approval in case Filipino soldiers are asked to be deployed, he said.