Senators chide intel agency for submitting fake article as ‘confidential’

Senators on Monday sought a review of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency’s (NICA) P700-million budget after an official submitted to the Senate blue ribbon committee a “confidential” report that was lifted from satirical news site.

At the resumption of the Senate panel’s hearing on the reported destructive mining operations and illegal excavations in Zambales, Senator Richard Gordon said the NICA should explain why it should not be cited in contempt for sending a representative “who’s obviously incompetent to answer questions.”

Gordon, chairman of the committee, said the NICA, through Director General Rodolfo Arsaga, Jr., tagged as confidential a satirical news article about a supposed Chinese military base in Zambales that contained underground military silos.

“When we got this, there was a cover document, which said confidential,” Gordon said, holding the document.

“I was shocked. You’re taking it from the Internet and you’re taking it seriously. Fine. Did you verify? And they said they will do it,” the senator added.

Gordon was referring to an article published on July 25 by “Intel Guru” that had the title “Breaking Story: Hidden Chinese Military Base with Alleged Missile Silos Found in Zambales.”

A note at the bottom of the article said: “This specific article is partly for satirical and entertainment purposes and the events should not be construed as pure facts although the mentioned tangible objects exist.”

“The Senate blue ribbon committee is not gonna get fooled. That’s why we’re gonna bring him back here and ask him why he should not be cited for contempt,” Gordon said.

Arsaga was a no-show at the hearing on Monday.

“It’s amazing. I mean, if that’s the state of intelligence we have in this country, maybe we really are in trouble,” Gordon added.

Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said the NICA’s budget should be reviewed, and that Arsaga should be sacked.

“Let us review the budget of the NICA…If you come up with a report to the blue ribbon committee citing an Internet post and cover it with confidential sheet, ay ibang klase ‘yang NICA na yan,” Sotto said. —KBK, GMA News