Press Release
October 5, 2010

Transcript of interview of Senate President Enrile

On whether the military can liquidate the communist insurgency

Q We are trying to figure out their capability. I am asking questions to assess the capability of the AFP. We are in the process of learning.

Q The Arroyo Administration guaranteed that they could liquidate the communist insurgency.

SP To be fair, I think the Arroyo administration has reduced the number of communists because over the years, we were talking about the more than 10,000 strength of the NPA. I think if I remember correctly, about 2004, we were talking about 7,000 to 8,000, so they have reduced it.

On the admission of AFP that some ammunition of the communists come from government forces

SP Matagal na 'yan. Alam na alam naman d'yan, mayroong mga luko-luko na mga sundalo, mga opisyal na nagbe-benta ng ammunition supply ng AFP sa kaaway ng gobyerno, kaya hindi na kataka-taka 'yun.

Q Hindi pa po nare-resolve until now?

SP Kaya nga. Tatanungin namin 'yan. Kung ano ang ginawa nila para sa ganun, mapigil. At saka kung sino 'yung sumu-suporta sa kanila sa civilian sector.

Q Nabanggit po ba nila kung kalian nila tatapusin 'yung insurgency?

SP Tatanungin namin 'yan. Marami pa kaming tatanungin na mga questions.

Q Tinanong ninyo po kanina sa AFP kung may simultaneous sa (inaudible)? Satisfied po kayo?

SP Wala pa. Hindi pa nasagot 'yun. Sabi nila, kaya nila. Kaya tinatalakay namin, tinatanong namin, para ma-validate 'yung kanilang conclusion na kaya nila. Conclusion 'yun.

On the assessment of the first 100 days of the Senate

SP We are trying our best to perform for the people. We do not grade ourselves. Let the people judge us. Mahirap 'yung sasabihin mo, magaling kami, marami kaming accomplishments. We have a term of six years to perform for the people. If you are going to grade us, you should grade us day-by-day. What have we done from day one, day two, day three, day four? First month, second month, third month? First year, second year, third year? Hindi ganoon ang paningin ko. You have to do an over-all assessment after you have done your term.

On the church declaring a cease-fire with the government re the RH bill

SP Mabuti 'yun para tumahimik ng kaunti ang ating lipunan.

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