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Sunday, May 21, 2006
Palace unfazed by slay plot v. Arroyo, Cabinet man
MANILA -- Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita brushed off reports of assassination plot against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr., dismissing it as old news and a normal thing to expect when important people are involved.
"Iyong ganyang balita naman, masasabi natin na hindi naman talaga bago iyan. Ang buhay ng mga matataas na tao sa gobyerno, lalo ang Pangulo ay lagi namang mayroong pagtatangka (That piece of news, what we can say is that it is nothing new. Important people in government, particularly the President, always face a threat one way or the other)," Ermita said.
He also said the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and other security details of the President and her official family is always on alert and prepared for any eventuality. He added that the PSG for instance has a special unit tasked to ensure the personal safety of the President.
He added that the threat is not limited to Arroyo but to other heads of state in the world.
Ermita said everyone in the administration is aware of the reported conspiracy of the left and the right and the existence of certain opposition groups that pose a possible threat. He said they just have to be careful and be on alert at all times.
Reports said that aside from Arroyo, there are also alleged assassination threats against some Cabinet officials, including someone bearing the surname "Gonzalez", apparently referring to Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr.
Gonzalez, as an added security measure, had reportedly been offered by the police to use a bulletproof vest.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Generso Senga said earlier that they receive no reports indicating assassination plots against the President and Secretary Gonzalez.
National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzalez revealed that an elite communist rebel group has been tasked to assassinate the President and the Justice Secretary.
But Senga said such information mentioned by the national security adviser has not reached the Armed Forces. (JMR/Sunnex)
(May 21, 2006 issue)
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