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Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Cops check terrorist threat
The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 is checking on the alleged presence of 80 terrorists in Cebu, while their counterparts in Manila will try to recover from “the embarrassment” of a blast in a police camp yesterday.
No one was hurt when an improvised bomb damaged a decommissioned police bus parked inside the National Capital Region Police Office in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
In Cebu City, operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics and other special units rushed to a mall after receiving a bomb threat alarm last Monday night.
“It was a false alarm,” said acting Cebu City Police Chief Supt. Melvin Gayotin.
PRO 7 Director Silverio Alarcio Jr. told reporters he has not received any reports about terrorists in Cebu, but has designated Supt. Augusto Marquez Jr., chief of the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division, to look into the matter.
Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano, in his speech during the 108th Independence Day celebration last Monday, revealed he is among the terrorists’ targets.
He said that his son-in-law, Nixon “Jojo” Dizon, received a call from the intelligence group over the weekend about the alleged presence of terrorists. No other details were made available.
“We haven’t received any such report. That’s why we’re checking on it. I have sent the chief of the intelligence division to touch base with Mayor Ouano and possibly validate the report among the intelligence community,” Alarcio said.
Alarcio confirmed that during last year’s Southeast Asian Games held partly in Cebu, they received reports of terrorists’ plans to disrupt the events. The games, however, proceeded in peace.
At least two Cebu City councilors said that speculations on the presence of terrorists in Cebu should be carefully looked into before any conclusion is reached.
Councilors Augustus Pe Jr. and Procopio Fernandez said they did not hear of any report that there are 80 terrorists in Cebu, as Ouano said.
“We have no information on that. Are there really terrorists here? Where are they?” Pe told reporters yesterday.
Fernandez said the Cebu City Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC) did not receive any report on the matter, but they will continue to look out for suspected terrorists.
“But as of now, we have not heard of any terrorist threat as far as the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit is concerned,” Alarcio said in a separate interview.
He added that the PRO 7 is willing to provide Ouano with security if the mayor sees the need for it.
As to the blast in Taguig, Southern Police District Chief Wilfredo Garcia said it was clear the blast was meant to embarrass the police force.
Camp Bagong Diwa houses the police’s maximum-security detention cell where high-profile criminals, including a number of Abu Sayyaf fighters, are incarcerated.
In a statement sent to media outlets, the shadowy Taong Bayan at Kawal claimed responsibility for the latest blast.
This is the fifth blast claimed by the group in the past two weeks, including the bombing of the Grepalife building in Makati City and of the residence of suspected gambling lord Rodolfo Pineda in Pampanga.
“The PNP has blatantly turned their backs on their sworn duty to protect and serve the people and instead, concentrates on its role of allowing Ms. Arroyo to cling to power,” the group said in the statement.
In Malacañang, presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor said the explosions were part of an effort “to paint a destabilized atmosphere in the country and put down the administration.” JST/With LCR & Sunnex
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 14, 2006 issue)
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