WikiLeaks: Arroyo gov't quizzed US on 'Garci' tape

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang had asked Washington in 2005 if it was the source of the “Hello, Garci” tape that linked the Arroyo administration to election fraud or if it felt offended by the Philippines’ cozying up to China, a US diplomatic cable released by whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks revealed.

In the confidential cable, then embassy Charge d’Affaires Joseph Mussomeli told Washington of Malacañang’s concerns that the tape might be used by the opposition to destabilize the Arroyo administration. He reported that then presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye voiced the Arroyo administration’s worry on June 5, 2005.

The tape contained a wiretapped conversation between a woman who sounded like Arroyo and a man who sounded like former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano regarding an alleged plot to manipulate the results of the 2004 presidential elections.

Mussomeli also spoke of Bunye’s citing the opposition’s claim that the tape had come from the US embassy.

The cable also revealed that “separately, Bunye met with Public Affairs Counselor June 4 to discuss reports that the USG (US government) had provided the opposition with the alleged tape. PA Counselor dismissed this claim.”

“Bunye also asked whether the USG was angry with the GRP for trying to improve relations with China. PA Counselor replied that this claim was wholly unfounded,” the cable stated.

“Queried by press sources, Mission denied any involvement in the matter. Mission also underscored our strong support for Philippine democracy and stability, as well as our opposition to any extra-constitutional activities,” Mussomeli said in his cable to Washington.

What embassy officials received was an alleged transcript of the tape and not the tape itself.

“We are not sure of the precise origin of the tape itself, much less of the wild charge that the USG was somehow involved in this matter. Politicians of all stripes in the Philippines often try to show that they have the blessing of the US, while the other side does not,” the cable said.

Then Philippine ambassador to the US Albert del Rosario, who was then in Manila, had also requested clarification from Mussomeli and got the same denial.

“The reluctance of the opposition to release the tape may indicate a realization that its contents were less damaging than rumors could be,” Mussomeli said.

Meanwhile, the military shrugged off yesterday the contents of a US diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks reportedly showing Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi’s financial support for communist rebels.

“This is an unverified report on which authenticity cannot be established. Such report should not be glorified,” Armed Forces public affairs chief Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. told The STAR.

“Nevertheless, the AFP shall continue pursuing the ways of peace through the conduct of security operations and civic action projects and activities, particularly in the countryside,” he said.

Based on the report, Libya provided as much as $7 million to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA).

It claimed that Tripoli is one of the largest financiers of terror groups. The Gadhafi regime also reportedly allowed terror groups to establish camps throughout Libya.

“A principal recipient of Libyan financing in Asia is the Communist Party of the Philippines and its military wing, the New People’s Army which has killed 10 Americans since 1987,” the cable said.

“We will continue to support the peace initiatives of the government. However, we will not let our guard down in protecting the people and we will remain steadfast in all our duties and responsibilities,” Burgos said.

Latest military estimates peg the strength of the communist movement at about 4,100 combatants.

To curb the communist insurgency, the military is implementing security plan Bayanihan, which focuses on development programs and humanitarian operations.

The programs under Bayanihan are intended to address the roots of rebellion like poverty and lack of access to social services.               – With Alexis Romero