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Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Makati mayor gets threat
MANILA –- Makati mayor and United Opposition (UNO) president Jejomar Binay received death threats via text messages last Sunday, his 65th birthday, from a man who identified himself as "Ka Bobot," the mayor's security officer revealed.
Binay's security officer Vincent Inonog reported to the police that his boss received several menacing text messages early Sunday morning from an unidentified person.
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Some of the messages read: "Katapusan mo na ngayon. Hahatulan ka na ngayon sa kawalanghiyaan mo. H’wag mong subukan ang Ka Gloria mahal na mahal ko iyan, Ka Bobot."
Other messages warned Binay to "be careful," said Senior Inspector Macvernon Manera, chief of the Makati police intelligence and investigation division
Manera said the messages were sent from 1:02 a.m. to 10:37 a.m. using cell phone number 0920-412-9555.
He said the mayor's security would be beefed up, with the police on alert about the mayor's movements.
"We are in close coordination with the mayor's security people," the police official said.
Asked if they believe that the text messages came from the New People's Army (NPA), Manera said they were not discounting any possibilities.
Another Makati police official who asked not to be named said it is highly unlikely that the NPA is involved. “Personally, I don’t think the NPA is involved,” he said.
Manera said the number used to send the text messages were pre-paid although investigation is still ongoing. He said it was likely the messages were just a prank, but the police were taking precautions to be on the safe side.
Makati Police Chief Gilbert Cruz said they had already coordinated with the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) to verify the owner of the cellular phone number.
Cruz also refused to say whether the threats were related to Binay’s link with UNO. “We are still conducting an investigation and we have coordinated with the mayor’s security team. We will beef up his security,” he said.
Binay is a vocal critic of the Arroyo administration and has led numerous rallies against calling for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign amid scandals besetting her government.
It was not the first time that Binay received threatening text messages from unidentified sources.
In October 2006, police also investigated threats to Binay following the assassination of his security chief Lito Glean by unidentified suspects at a convenience store in Taguig City.
In the wake of the killing, Binay also reported to the Makati police the sighting of vehicles with unidentified plate number around their residence in San Antonio Village this city.
Binay attributed Glean’s murder to an operation dubbed “Oplan Phoenix” supposedly to be carried out by former soldiers and policemen out to eliminate opposition personalities. (AH/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (November 13, 2007 issue)
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