‘Terror threat yarn a mere gov’t scare ploy’

March 7, 2008

The government’s warning against possible terrorist attack during protest rallies has been dismissed as another desperate scare tactics of the Arroyo administration to thwart demonstrations over the controversial ZTE-National Broadband Network (NBN) deal.

Opposition stalwart and former Sen. Ernesto Maceda and militant groups yesterday said the threat on bombings and assassinations is nothing new and has been floated many times by the administration to instill fear and panic among the people and prevent them from attending protest actions.

“They have been saying that many times, especially when the opposition is planning to hold a big rally. But nothing had happened so far,” he stressed.

Maceda expressed fears that such warnings could be a sign the government might be planning to stage violent actions and blame it on terrorists to justify the imposition of emergency rule.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita earlier had disclosed the terror threat, saying three suspected terrorists from the Middle East involved in a plot to bomb the embassies of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Israel were apprehended by the authorities.

The official, who is also the chairman of the Anti-Terrorism Council, said the current political situation is an ideal target for terrorists, and that intelligence reports indicate that terror groups have been infiltrating rallies and assemblies.

Such disclosure came as the opposition and various civil

society, militant and youth groups are finalizing plans for another major anti-Arroyo rally on March 14 at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

The government also raised such a warning of a communist plot to sabotage last Feb. 29 rally at Makati’s central business district which rally organizers said was participated in by some 70, 000 protesters.

A similar event held last Feb. 15 held also in Makati was attended by some 10,000 to 15, 000 protesters.

The opposition remains confident that rallies in the days to come will be just as peaceful and orderly as the past protest actions.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Renato Reyes echoed Maceda’s statement, saying the reported infiltration of rallies by terrorists is but a “product of the wild imagination of a beleaguered administration,” referring to the current crisis besetting the administration regarding the botched $329-million NBN contract with China’s ZTE Corp.

“News reports that alleged terrorists will infiltrate rallies are very doubtful after several big protests in February proceeded smoothly and before the planned demonstration on March 14,” he noted.

Reyes said rally organizers have not been remiss in their duty to implement strict security for the safety of the participants of mass demonstrations.

“Rally organizers will maintain tight security as always but the government should stop its desperate dirty tactics. The Arroyo administration may be planning its own dark plot,” he added.

He said aside from strict monitoring of the participants, they would also deploy marshals during the rally to spot any saboteurs from infiltrating their ranks.

Another militant group also chided the authorities for the report, saying it is meant to instill fear among the people and thwart them from going to the rally.

Gabriela party-list Rep. Liza Maza said there is nothing new in the disclosure, adding the government always issues such reports when big rallies are being scheduled to take place.

Youth for Accountability and Truth Now spokesman Alvin Peters said such threats would not deter them from pursuing their plan to join the March 14 gathering.

He said students from major universities in Metro Manila and nearby provinces will participate in the rally.

Ben Gines Jr.

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