Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Roy Cimatu yesterday denied reports that American P-3 Orion spy planes are being used in the search and rescue of three Indonesian sailors and four Jehovah’s Witnesses held separately by Muslim gunmen in Jolo, Sulu.
"I have checked with the Southern Command (Southcom) and they told me that no spy planes are hovering (over) Jolo, Sulu right now," Cimatu said.
According to the AFP chief, "the P-3 Orion and the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are no longer here in the country."
Earlier reports said US spy planes were seen hovering over Sulu in support of Filipino ground troops pursuing the Abu Sayyaf and the gunmen holding the three Indonesians and four Filipino evangelists.
The Indonesians are being held by a local pirate group since June 17, while the Jehovah’s Witness preachers have been in the hands of their captors since Aug. 20.
The military described the evangelists’ captors as a band of drug addicts and pushers whose leader, Abdulmuin Sahiron, is the nephew of Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron.
Cimatu said the planes captured by television footage could have been Philippine aircraft flying over the area and "mistaken" for US spy planes.
Nonetheless, Cimatu said, the Philippines could still make use of the US spy planes in question provided arrangements are made with the US government.
"I think there would be no problem, since we still have continuing intelligence cooperation with the US. But, as of now, the operations in Jolo are continuing without the use of these aircraft," Cimatu added.