DND aiming for bigger national ‘spy’ agency

From the Daily Tribune (Jan 12): DND aiming for bigger national ‘spy’ agency

The Department of National Defense (DND) is planning to create a new intelligence agency which will eventually replace the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).

This was revealed by ISAFP head Brig. Gen. Eduardo Año who said that the proposal is still undergoing study as the planning guidance issued by DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin aims to create a bigger intelligence organization.

He also dismissed talks that ISAFP will be abolished.

“It’s just that the intelligence unit of the AFP will be part now of the whole defense department,” he further said, noting that the new spy agency will be like that of the US Defense Intelligence Agency.

Año pointed out that nothing is final as of the moment as the plan is still undergoing review.

“Not within 2014, probably that will be (by) 2015... But of course, we are always trying to change the organization for the better, it’s the dynamics of the organization,” he said.

The proposal to abolish ISAFP was made a research paper written by Jesuit Father Romeo Intengan of the Center for Strategic Studies.

Intengan’s recommendation was subsequently endorsed two months ago by National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, a reported longtime friend of Intengan, reports said.

Gonzales’ proposal was for the ISAFP’s duties to be transferred to either the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency or the National Security Adviser.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/dnd-aiming-for-bigger-national-spy-agency