Former National Police chief and now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Monday raised the possibility of failure of intelligence in the recent bombing at the Mindanao State University’s Dimaporo Gymnasium in Marawi City.
“Puwedeng may failure of intelligence dahil nga hindi na-monitor, ‘di ba? Kung na-monitor man nila, failure to act on the intelligence. No intelligence is still a failure of intelligence,” Dela Rosa said in an interview when asked if he sees any lapses on the security forces’ side.
(There may be a failure of intelligence because they were not able to monitor that there will be a bombing, right? If they were able to monitor it, there was still a failure to act on the intelligence.)
While failure of intelligence is a possibility, Dela Rosa said that it is “very unfair” if the security forces will be held accountable for something that is “below the radar.”
“Kahit anong effort ang gagawin mo–ang gobyerno, ang security forces, and everyone involved even the citizenry, ‘pag meron talagang nagplano ng deliberate na attack na gagawin ay maghanap talaga sila ng tsansa kung kailan nakababa ang guards, saka sila titira. That’s how terrorism goes. That’s how terrorists operate,” he said.
(No matter the effort of the government, security forces, and everyone involved even the citizenry, if there is a plan to deliberately attack, they would find an opportunity to do. That’s how terrorism goes. That’s how terrorists operate.)
According to the senator, he was able to talk with the regional director of the Philippine National Police Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PNP-BARMM) but he will let the “right authorities” to disclose information regarding the attack.
The PNP forces were already augmented to secure the MSU compound, he added.
For Dela Rosa, it is normal for the public to seek accountability especially amid the allocation of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) for the security agencies.
“Normal sa tao ‘yan. People will be asking for accountability. I agree with the security forces. Alam ko kung ano ang sitwasyon nila. Kahit na lahat na gagawin mo, ‘pag may mangyari, may mangyari talaga. May pagkakataon talaga na masingitan ka,” he said.
(It is normal for people to ask for accountability. I agree with the security forces. I know their situation. Even if you do all you can, there is a possibility that these terrorists can still launch an attack.)
GMA News Online sought comment from the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines but they have yet to issue a statement as of posting time.
The blast occurred at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday as a Mass was being held at the gym attended by students and teachers.
Four people were killed and 45 others were hurt in the incident. Of the wounded individuals, 35 have been released from the hospital, according to the police. The bodies of all fatalities have been identified.
At least 10 wounded persons are still at the hospital and five of them are critically injured.
The Islamic State group, which wields influence in the country’s south, said on Telegram that its members had detonated the bomb, according to a Reuters report.
The Philippine military earlier in the day said it is validating the claim of Islamic State.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
