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Friday, December 15, 2006
Probe bureau foils slay plot on lawmaker
By Rhodamae Hernandez and Jeffrey M. Tupas
DAVAO CITY -- The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) claimed it has foiled an assassination attempt against the life of Davao City's 1st District Representative Prospero Nograles.
Lawyer Reynaldo Esmeralda, deputy director of regional operations services of the NBI, said Thursday that Nograles was supposed to be liquidated while attending the Christmas party of the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (Arena) at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City Wednesday.
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In Manila, Nograles said he did not see it coming but was not at all surprised that there was a plan to kill him.
"I take this as part of my job as elected public official," he said, adding that he had no idea who would want him dead.
He thanked the NBI for aborting the plot to assassinate him.
Esmeralda said they have all the names and identities of four individuals tagged in the failed assassination.
The NBI official said the suspects are from the province of Lanao.
Esmeralda, however, said they are not at liberty to divulge the names of the personalities behind the plot.
"According to the information that we got, the congressman will be shot during or after the party -- so we have advised him not to attend the party," Esmeralda said.
He said they are still tracking down the suspects.
Esmeralda refused to comment on the possible motive behind the foiled assassination, saying they still need to conduct further investigation and identify the group to which the four suspects belong.
Had the plan been successfully carried out, it would have been one of the most daring assassinations of a local leader, said Esmeralda.
He said they were able to uncover the plan last week and immediately warned Nograles about it. Because of this, he said, they beefed up the security for Nograles, adding more security personnel from the police and NBI.
Nograles said he is unfazed by threats on his life and will not stop from functioning as the city's representative to the Lower House.
The congressman is one of the prominent figures in the House who have been pushing for a constituent assembly (Con-Ass) to amend the Constitution.
He has also been the object of criticism of militant organizations for his closeness to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Nograles, however, refused to comment on whether the Con-Ass has something to do with the supposed attempt on his life. (Sun.Star Davao/With DBP)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Davao. (December 15, 2006 issue)
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