Budget for embassies may be cut

Sen. Manuel Villar, chairperson of the Senate committee on foreign relations, has found a way for the Philippine government to save money and at the same time retaliate against moves by Australia and Canada to temporarily close their embassies in Manila.

Sen. Villar vowed to cut the budget allocation for Philippine embassies in Canberra and Ottawa in order to force their closure until Australia and Canada reopen theirs in Manila.
"I will certainly make this move in the budget," he stated.

"I can just cut their budget. That would be a nice way of saving money."

He slammed what he described as the Philippine government's "foreign policy of fear" in responding to the diplomatic insults by other countries.

"Our immediate reaction is always to plead. That is how we dealt with China and Malaysia. Our response is already so predictable."

Australia, Canada and the European Union have closed their embassies in Manila's central business district of Makati due to fear of terror attacks.

The two governments, however, failed to share information with Philippine authorities.

Manila officials regarded this unprecedented move as having painted the Philippines in the world press as a dangerous place.

Citing "a specific and credible threat", Canadian embassy counsellor Heather Forton announced the temporary closure of the embassy in Manila on November 28, along with the formal announcement of a similar move by Australia.

The Philippines has since beefed up military and police security around the Canadian and Australian embassies. There had also been talk of the Netherlands and the Vatican wanting to temporarily close their offices in Manila.

Foreign Secretary Blas Ople met ambassadors from Australia, Canada, the European Union, the Netherlands and the Vatican following alleged threats of terrorist attacks on their respective embassies.

Ople said the five ambassadors had said they might relocate their embassies where they could continue their operations.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye had said the Australian and Canadian embassies would resume operations if and when the envoys find safer places to operate.

"After achieving a comfort level for their personnel, they will consider reopening their embassies," Ople said.

He added that they did not give a timetable for the resumption of their operations.

Defence Secretary Angelo Reyes said the Philippines intelligence network has been coordinating with the foreign embassies to prevent terrorist attacks.

But National Security Council head Roilo Golez denied having received information on the alleged threats from embassies that were closed.

"I did not anticipate this," he said, stressing that the information received by these embassies should have been shared with the Philippine government.