Intelligence funds

EDITORIAL

Intelligence funds of law enforcement bodies of government which include the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, along others should be audited by the Commission on Audit.

As things stand now, these are not audited by the COA. How taxpayer’s money is spent like in the case of intelligence funds should be known by the people. And this includes discretionary funds of local officials which are also not audited by the COA. How intelligence funds are being used should be known considering these have reportedly not been used judiciously and as a result crime is still high to add insurgency and unrest in Mindanao.

Senate minority Alan Peter Cayetano lamented the seeming inability of both the AFP and PNP to stop the series of bombings and acts of terrorism in Mindanao despite the huge amount of intelligence funds made available to them.

The senator noted that in 2011 the AFP was given P124.397 million in confidential and intelligence funds while the PNP was given P270.029 million.

For the proposed 2012 budget, PNP’s budget is still pegged at P270.029 million while AFP’s budget is slated to increase to P136.397 million.

“With intelligence funds this big, why are these agencies still unable to get to the masterminds of these bombings and put a stop to continuing acts of terrorism in the country?” he asked.

The minority leader pointed out that the failure of government to stabilize peace and order particularly in Mindanao is one of the major factors why foreign investments and development of local economy continue to be hampered.

Indeed, if citizens do not feel secure in their own country, how can we expect investors to come in? If investors become scarce, how can we expect to boost the country’s economy?

Must a “VIP” be harmed first before law enforcers intensify their intelligence efforts? According to Cayetano, the country’s soldiers and policemen have the capability to act swiftly and effectively but results could not be seen.

The senator urged leaders of both the PNP and the AFP to step up their intelligence gathering in order to justify the millions of funds they receive for this purpose.

Taxpayers’ money should be used for its intended purpose. Law enforcement agencies should be more transparent in the use intelligence funds so the people could if these are indeed being used properly. Why the silence?