MANILA, Philippines – Amid a spate of bombings in Metro Manila and Mindanao and renewed speculation of a possible declaration of martial law or a state of emergency, US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief Leon Panetta is flying in on Sunday and is set to meet with President Arroyo.
Palace officials said yesterday the visit Panetta would highlight the Philippines’ crucial role in the fight against terrorism in the region.
The strengthening of bilateral cooperation and enhancing capacities in intelligence sharing will be the focus of the discussion between Philippine officials and Panetta, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales in separate interviews said Panetta would visit Manila and meet with President Arroyo but they could not give details of the visit.
Officials said Panetta, who was appointed to his post in January, would arrive in Manila on Sunday morning and leave in the evening as part of his Asian swing.
“I think Mr. Panetta would reaffirm the common concern with the Philippine government on security issues and international terrorism,” Ermita told a news briefing.
He said the US has security concerns with the Philippines, affirmed by a mutual defense treaty and regular joint military exercises.
He said the two countries are among the signatories to the United Nations resolution against terrorism.
Gonzales noted the Philippines and the US are “the two major partners” in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“It’s in our country where the fight against terrorism in the (Southeast Asian) region is most intense,” Gonzales said in a telephone interview.
The Philippines has the largest number of US troops, stationed in Mindanao, involved in anti-terrorism in Southeast Asia.
American troops have been extending technical assistance, mostly in intelligence gathering, to the military in Mindanao in running after Abu Sayyaf militants.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro claimed he has no knowledge of Panetta’s agenda.
“I don’t know the agenda,” Teodoro told Camp Aguinaldo reporters on the purpose of Panetta’s lightning visit.
The defense chief also added that he has yet to know if a note has been forwarded to his desk about Panetta’s visit. - With Jaime Laude, Pia Lee-Brago