CHIZ: PROBE REPORT ON ISAFP 'ADVOCACY GROUP'

Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero yesterday urged the government, through the defense or military hierarchy, to investigate reports that the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) has put up an advocacy group that may be used for next year's elections.

"These are serious allegations that should be cause for alarm. The military's intelligence office has no business putting up advocacy groups whether for the elections or any undertaking. The government should look into this immediately," Escudero said.

According to a report in a national newspaper, the ISAFP has allegedly established an advocacy group called "Aagapay," but some of its agents have expressed concerns on the timing of its creation.

"The ISAFP, as part of the AFP, is a military institution and should not engage in civilian affairs. Its budget is limited to its primary mandate and no conversion is allowed to accommodate extracurricular activities," Escudero said.

"There is something sinister in the idea of the Armed Forces' intelligence service putting up and operating advocacy groups," he noted.

The newspaper report quoted an alleged agent of the ISAFP who was being recruited into this advocacy group.

Maj. Gen. Romeo Prestoza, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1978 that adopted President Arroyo as a member, heads the ISAFP.

"The military's role in the elections next year is confined to security or logistics and only after it has been deputized by the Commission on Elections. Anything other than these functions should be off limits," Escudero said.