President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and President Bush spoke by phone (last night) and mutually agreed to postpone the state visit planned for April. Given the press of events concerning Iraq, the state visit will be re-scheduled for later in the spring.

The postponement was agreed to for very practical considerations. Both leaders will have added responsibilities should hostilities occur, and they need to bring to bear the full weight of their attention on these matters. President Macapagal-Arroyo will need to stay focused on the safety of all overseas Philippine workers as well as domestic peace and order.

United States President George W. Bush spoke with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last night as part of the US leader’s telephone diplomacy in connection with the Iraq situation and expressed deep appreciation for the Filipino Chief Executive’s "strong, consistent moral leadership in demanding immediate and complete disarmament by the Baghdad government."

White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer announced in Washington, DC Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) that the two leaders discussed the security situation in the Philippines and President Bush expressed strong support for President Macapagal-Arroyo’s efforts to defeat terror and bring prosperity to the Philippines and in Mindanao.

"The two leaders agreed to continue to consult closely on how the United States can support the Philippines further in the war against terror," Fleischer told White House reporters during his regular briefing.

Fleischer also said President Bush was looking forward to the state visit of President Macapagal-Arroyo to the US late this spring.

"The President looks forward to celebrating our excellent bilateral relationships with the Republic of the Philippines on that occasion," the White House spokesman said.

President Macapagal-Arroyo was among the world leaders President Bush called during what Fleischer called "a busy day of telephone diplomacy" on the Iraq situation.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today authorized all field commanders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to make tactical decisions within their areas of responsibility but at the same time reminded them of the strategic implications of their actions.

In a joint AFP-PNP command conference this morning at the Heroes Hall of Malacaņang, the President, who is the Commander in Chief of the AFP, stressed that a tactical operation acquires strategic implications when it involves public perceptions beyond the immediate area of military operations.

Field commanders, according to the President, must learn to take into consideration the adverse consequences of their decisions to the general state of law and order, socio-economic activity and political stability within or beyond their immediate areas of operation.

In a memorandum to Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, the President enumerated several points that field commanders should consider whenever they make tactical decisions and conduct operations.

These are:

Taking into consideration the fact that armed criminal groups are now operating like armies, the government is planning to implement a holistic approach in law enforcement which would harness the joint efforts of the military, the police, the local governments and the communities.

In a joint command conference of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police at the Heroes Hall of Malacaņang today, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as Commander in Chief, advocated a new revolution in military thinking which seeks to neutralize criminal elements who have become bolder and more aggressive because they have the weapons and methods that characterize armies.

"If you remember from all my speeches in the frequent changes of command in the AFP and even in the less frequent occasion in the PNP, I have been invoking the new revolution in military thinking that this traditional division of labor is more blurred now because many of the criminal groups operate like armies," the President said.

Reacting to peace advocates questioning the use of the military in running after lawless elements, the Commander in Chief said the Philippines is not alone in this aspect because all over the world, countries fighting the challenge of terrorism have also used their respective militaries.

She cited the case of Colombia which has long used its military in fighting the drug lords who have their own respective armies.

"And now we have all these networks that are existing all over the world especially in Southeast Asia," she said.

The holistic approach to armed threats is embedded in the Internal Security Plan under the paradigm of clear, hold, consolidate, and develop. Clearing, she said is the job of the military, holding is the job of the police and the CAFGU, while consolidation and development are joint tasks of the local and national governments.

The President stressed that there must be a tight interweave between the Internal Security Plan and the Criminal Justice System under which all law enforcement agencies, the prosecution, the courts, the correctionals and the community operate.

"We need synergy and seamless interaction, like the gears in a machine," Mrs. Arroyo said. "Intelligence, operations and media approaches must be effectively fused so that the public will see a single, integrated, smooth operation, not a multiplicity of diverse actions."

During the command conference, the President reiterated the standing policy for the Mindanao peace and order problem which is to give full rein to the imperatives of peace, development and justice.

This means, she said, that peace negotiations will be pursued with the facilitation and assistance of third-party nations; development will be pursued in line with overall national economic plans; and justice will be pursued against those engaged in terrorism and organized crime separate from the pursuit of peace and development process.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said last night that if war breaks out in the Middle East, she hopes it would be short so that its adverse effect on the Philippines could be minimized.

In an interview with Channel 7’s Jessica Sojo Wednesday evening, the President said the direct impact on the Philippines of a war in Iraq would be on the price of oil and the price of basic commodities.

"Kaya kung sakaling magkaroon ng giyera, mas mabilis matapos, mas mabuti (So, if there is war, the sooner it will be over, the better)," the President said.

The President said that the government has sounded out thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East if they would like to come home because of the impending war in the Gulf.

She said only about 10 percent has indicated that they would like to come home but not because they are afraid but because their families back home fear for their safety in case of war.

The President said that being the leader of the country, who has been keenly observing the developments abroad, she "hopes for the best but prepares for the worst."

"Kaya habang nagdarasal tayo para sa kapayapaan ay naghahanda rin tayo (That’s why while we are praying for peace, we must also he prepared for any eventuality," the President said.

When asked what position will she take if the United States unilaterally attacks Iraq, the President said this is a hypothetical question.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today took note of the efforts of the Philippine National Police to institutionalize links with the barangay tanod in the administration’s campaign against street crimes, pressing the PNP officers and men to work harder for law and order and the long-term strategy of the administration for justice, peace and development.

During a joint command conference of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PNP in Malacaņang, the President expressed satisfaction for the positive action being taken by the police on her recommendations on the campaign against street crimes.

"The fact that you are catching would-be saboteurs, or would be-bombers shows how well you are carrying out these preparations," the President said.

During their last command conference on February 21, the President ordered the PNP officers and personnel to link up with the barangay chairmen and tanods and mobilize them in the fight against street crimes.

The President said that in the different barangays she visited, she was informed that the barangay tanods, or neighborhood watchmen/law enforcers, have started their training under the supervision of the chiefs of the police stations.

"You can see that the institutionalized links really help to reduce the crime rates," the President said.

Stating that times have been difficult for the last three years and times may become even more difficult in the next three months, the President urged the PNP officers and men to continue to continue their good work.

PNP Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco, giving a status report on the campaign against street crimes, said that in the three weeks after the President’s conference with the PNP field and station commanders, street crimes have been reduced to 152 cases, compared to the 264 cases during the three weeks immediately preceding the February 21 meeting.

Velasco said that 23,00 barangay tanods in 1,600 barangays have also been mobilized, in coordination with the mayors and barangay captains, for the campaign against street crimes.

The police chiefs and stations have already conducted 346 seminars and installed police supervisors in the frontlines, "in order that the tanods will be supervised properly and remove the impression that there might be some violations that would be committed by the tanods," Velasco said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today reiterated that she has not budged from her earlier decision not to run in next year’s elections as she said that she can now make even unpopular decisions for as long as they are right and good for the people.

In a late night interview with Channel 7’s Jessica Sojo Wednesday, the President said that because of her announcement last Dec. 30, 2002 that she is not running in 2004, she was able to accomplish more.

The President said that she does not have to think now of the support or the reaction of the various groups or sectors on her decisions.

"Basta ano ang tama iyan ang pinakaimportanting basehan ng aking desisyon (What I think is right is the number one consideration in making my decisions)," the President said.

In the same interview, the President also touched on the state of her health, saying that her bill of health "is almost 100 percent."

The President said that what makes her health less than 100 percent is that her cholesterol count is a little high.

She added however, that this is being remedied by doing some aerobics along with her aides and some female staff in Malacanang.

She also said that her grandchild, daughter of Pampanga Vice Governor Mikey Arroyo, usually visits her in the evening.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s contribution to the government’s peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The President relayed her appreciation during a courtesy call of Malaysia’s Minister of Transport Dato Seri Dr. Ling Liong Sik at the Music Room in Malacanang.

The President noted that she sent Senior Adviser on International Competitiveness Roberto Romulo to Kuala Lumpur specifically to confer with acting Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi on how Malaysia could continue helping the Philippines in its peace process with the MILF.

"We still are relying on Malaysia to be the third party facilitator for the peace process with the MILF," the President said.

Romulo, the President noted, was the Philippine foreign secretary when Badawi was likewise Malaysia’s foreign minister.

The President noted that Romulo would convey to Badawi that the Philippines continues to pursue the peace process with the MILF.

"We consider Malaysia a very dear and close friend," the President said.

Malaysia had hosted negotiations between the Philippines and the MILF, which led to a ceasefire agreement in 2001.

Meanwhile, the President noted the development programs of the government in bringing the Clark Special Economic Zone and the Subic Bay Freeport as one unit with the construction of a major road linking the two, bringing travel time to one-half hour.

The President likewise discussed the advantage of having the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark as an alternate airport for overseas Filipinos who will be proceeding further to Northern Luzon.

Malacaņang today said that the visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to Europe has not been officially postponed yet as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is awaiting word from the three host governments on their reaction to a possible postponement of her European trip next week.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said that the President asked the DFA to sound out the governments of Spain, Italy, Germany and the Vatican on a possible postponement of her trip.

"However, at this time we don’t have any confirmation yet. We don’t have any word yet from the governments involved," Bunye said in a regular press briefing this afternoon.

Earlier, Bunye confirmed that the visit of the President to the United States this coming April was postponed right after her telephone conversation with US President George W. Bush Wednesday night.

The two leaders, Bunye said, mutually agreed to the postponement of the President’s visit to the United States due to "practical considerations" with the impending conflict in Iraq.

He also said that there is a need for the President to focus her attention on the government’s preparation for the welfare of the overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East and to attend to the immediate domestic concerns in the country.

Malacaņang today assured the family of Andy Baguindah that the government is employing all legal means to help and save him from the death penalty imposed by the Malaysian government.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye confirmed reports that Baguindah was granted a reprieve for 30 days and his scheduled execution this coming Friday (March 14) has been suspended.

Bunye said the Malaysian government is now conducting a thorough review of Baguindah’s case after acting Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi ordered the reevaluation of the charges brought up against him.

"The reprieve was for 30 days and I believe the (Malaysian) government is really reviewing the case of this Filipino prisoner," Bunye said in a press briefing this afternoon.

Bunye said Badawi granted the reprieve after Presidential Adviser on Foreign Affairs Roberto Romulo, who was in Malaysia, relayed the government’s request to suspend the execution and review the case of Baguindah.

He also said that the acting Prime Minister assured the Philippine government that Baguindah would be given due process and Manila will be informed on the development of the review of his case.