Arrest of foreign suspect in Arroyo kill plot made public

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday made public the recent arrest of a foreign national over the alleged kill plot against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. According to PNP chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr, the foreigner, whose identity was withheld, was taken into police custody three days ago after follow-up operations on reports of an assassination attempt against the President led investigators to the suspect. Razon said the foreigner was arrested in a province near Metro Manila. After the initial interrogation, Razon said they have established the foreigner's links with the Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf Group, both local affiliates of the Al Qaeda terrorist group. "Nag-conduct ng operation ang PNP. After that, may nahuli isang foreigner. Pero 'wag po muna nating pangalanan dahil may operation pa para ma-account iyong iba niyang kasama," Razon told reporters at Camp Crame. On February 14, police, military and Presidential Security Group (PSG) officials disclosed an alleged assassination plot against President Arroyo based on a document retrieved from a park somewhere in Metro Manila. Razon had said then that the document contained routes being taken by the President, as well as surveillance review of some embassies as possible bombing targets. With the foreigner's arrest, Razon said he believes that authorities have preempted the group's plans in Metro Manila. "Iyong casing ay first step ng kanilang paghahanda. Masasabi nating na-foil na din yung balak ng grupo nila," Razon said. Razon said they were forced to disclose the arrest following talks that government authorities were merely "inventing" stories of an assassination attempt against President Arroyo to justify intensified police and military operations in the metropolis. "Pinangangalagaan namin iyon, pero napilitan kami na sabihin ito kasi may lumalabas na ito'y moro-moro… Up to yesterday, ang coordination naming ni CS (Chief of Staff, AFP) ay wag muna mangsalita tungkol doon sa nahuli," Razonsaid. He said this initial disclosure about the apprehension of the foreigner is meant to protect policemen from allegations that the report is a fabrication to sow fear among the people who wish to join mass gatherings against the Arroyo administration. With the disclosure, Razon said he hopes policemen who conducted the follow up operation will be encouraged to pursue the case against the foreigner. "Di naman tayo dapat ma-demoralize. Matagal na tayo sa serbisyo. Dapat lang malaman ng publiko na nagtatrabaho tayo," he said. Razon said that in due time, the foreigner will be presented to the media. - GMANews.TV