Sunday, October 21, 2007 Glorietta blast a ‘fund-raising’ attempt: Gonzales
THE blast that killed at least nine persons at the Glorietta 2 shopping complex in Makati City is likely a “fund-raising” activity of terrorist groups, a Palace official said Saturday.
National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said one of the intelligence reports they received was that a terrorist group was raising funds and needed to convince prospective donors.
“One of the intelligence reports we received was that a terrorist group is raising funds. If you can’t show you mean business, you cannot get funds,” Gonzales said over dzRH radio.
He would not say though if the group is the Abu Sayyaf, which has ties with the Indonesia-based Jemaah Islamiyah and the Al-Qaeda international terrorist network.
The Abu Sayyaf recently took to Internet-based video-sharing sites such as YouTube (www.youtube.com) to appeal to prospective donors for funds.
On the other hand, Gonzales brushed aside criticisms that the bombing was the work of the government to lay the foundation for Martial Law.
“Let us not talk politics. If politics were just a matter of talk, that’s okay. But this involves lives,” he said.
He also dismissed declaring Martial Law because of “just one event,” noting that there had been several bombings in Mindanao in the past.
“Why declare Martial Law because of one event? We have had many bombings before,” he said.
He added: “I cannot imagine what kind of sick mind would think this is a diversionary tactic. Our fellow Filipinos are bloodied and some people insist it is a diversionary tactic. What we can say is that the perpetrators of the blast have no souls.”
Gonzales said Glorietta 2 was one of the more “ideal” targets because many “innocent” people flock there and could be killed or injured in a terrorist attack.
He said this was why President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered 2,000 policemen deployed to beef up security in Metro Manila, with soldiers on standby.
“If what happened Friday was a terrorist attack it is ideal for terror groups because that’s what they want. They want innocents killed or injured. They want to show they can sow terror,” he said.
Also, he appealed to the public to bear with stricter security measures in malls. He also asked them to go on with their everyday lives.
“Let’s not allow terrorists to disrupt our lives. Let us go on with our lives although we must be more careful,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gonzales admitted Saturday that the government is considering an overhaul of the newly passed anti-terrorism law.
“We will seek amendments to the law. We have seen at least 50 items that should be amended. Otherwise we’re better off without that law),” Gonzales said.
Gonzales meanwhile said no one has so far come forward to claim responsibility for the incident.
“No one has come forward to claim responsibility. I’m starting to doubt if we can use this law,” he said.
The anti-terror law was passed earlier this year, with several provisions offering stiff penalties such as freezing of assets and longer detention times.
Its safeguards include penalties on those who arrest the wrong suspects or abuse the provisions of the law.
Militant groups, however, voiced fears the law may be used against the government’s political opponents because of the wide definition of terrorism in the measure. (JMR/Sunnex)
