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HONASAN SAYS

Verify, discuss internally alleged order to stop West PHL Sea patrols


Senator Gringo Honasan on Sunday stressed the need to verify and discuss internally Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano's claim that Malacañang has ordered the military to stop patrolling the West Philippine Sea.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, Honasan, chair of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, said Alejano's claim, which he said came from a "high-ranking official" of the military, should be verified and coordinated with authorities.

"Maaaring may source si Congressman Alejano. Dapat yung mga sources niya ay i-coordinate ito sa kinauukulan para ma-correct ito kung may katotohanan or masabi na hindi naman pala verified," Honasan said.

But the Armed Forces of the Philippines' denial of the claim creates more conflict, Honasan said, which may not be favorable to the country in the long run.

"Kung ganun [na may denial], paano natin ire-resolve ito kung hindi tayo mag-uusap-usap? Gagawin natin ito sa media?" he said.

"Ang aking pananaw dito ay Philippine team tayo. Para sa akin hindi maganda na nagbabangayan tayo at nasasaksihan ito, naririnig ito," he said.

Honasan said discussions should be done internally in order to create a concrete strategy.

"I-verify natin ito, mag-usap-usap tayo nang tahimik pero huwag natin itong gawin openly dahil baka nanonood ang China. [Sasabihin nila] ang gulo pala nila, yung mambabatas at yung executive branch nila ay nagbabangayan in public. Hindi ito maganda sa sitwasyon natin," he said.

Honasan pointed out that as one nation, government officials should be serving Filipinos and not their own or other countries' interests.

"Kung pinakikita natin yung kahinaan natin sa pamamagitan ng mga pahayag na ito, para sa akin hindi ito maganda," he said. —LBG, GMA News

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