Poe invokes national security, vows no cover up

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Grace Poe invoked national security and ongoing operations as basis for not revealing details on the testimonies made by a top intelligence officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday.

Poe, head of the Senate committee on peace and order investigating January 25's Operation Plan: Exodus that neutralized top terror suspect Marwan, said the Senate is one with the Filipino people in determining the extent of "foreign involvement" in the mission which came with a steep price: killing of 44 police commandos.

"We have to be very careful. We want peaceful ties with countries to secure ourselves.  When it comes to that, we don't want to hide information," Poe said.

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Poe parried questions on newspaper reports pertaining to the alleged involvement of US in the operations in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

"We are with you to determine the extent of foreign involvement,"  said Poe, who also kept assuring the public that there is no attempt to cover up anything related to the unfortunate incident.

"We are just careful (about it)," she added.

Poe gave the assurance despite reports of a mounting pressure from Malacañang to stop the hearing.

"We are not seeing any cover-up," she said.  "It is not to cover-up anything ... We are all to find out the truth. If they will open up in executive session (so be it)."

Poe was interviewed after she emerged from the third executive session of the joint Senate panel, following the sessions with Superintendent Raymund Train and PO2 Christopher Lalan. On Monday, senators heard details of the operation plan from relieved Special Action Force (SAF) commander Director Getulio Napenas.

"We will not use the executive session to just save certain individuals. We are just concerned about the security (of the resource persons)," she added.

After all things are done, Poe said the Senate panel will review the details of the executive session and prepare summaries of what were discussed, depending on the consensus of the senators on what information can be made public.

Asked to comment on the reported US involvement in the operations from planning to execution of the oplan, Poe said the issue "is an ongoing question which we want to verify."

"We have to be very careful. We want peaceful ties with countries to secure ourselves.  When it comes to that, we don't want to hide information. We are with you to determine the extent of foreign involvement,"  Poe added.

Asked on whether the issue of national security should prevail over the people's call for justice for the 44 SAF troopers, Poe said both issues are "of paramount importance."

There is always a balance of all three, if national sovereignty will also be counted into the entire picture, Poe said.

Resigned PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima was also questioned by senators as of press time.

Executive sessions at the Senate are done to ensure that certain issues on national security are kept under wraps.