NPA 'journalist' to kill Estrada - NICA

The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) claimed yesterday that a communist rebel hit man disguising himself as a print journalist is out to assassinate President Estrada.

In a letter to Press Undersecretary Icasiano Gutierrez, NICA Director General Cesar Fortuno said they are closely watching a certain Alexander Hernandez.

Fortuno said Hernandez is a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army (NPA) under the direct supervision of CPP founder Jose Ma. Sison.

The NICA chief said Her-nandez is tasked to monitor the movements and activities of Mr. Estrada, including the security arrangements and documentation of all speeches, press releases and statements of the President.

"Hernandez allegedly uses several media and press identification cards as a cover in penetrating the places of engagements of the President," Fortuno said. "Accordingly, said documentation will be used as a propaganda mileage and for the possible launching of tactical offensive against the President during his engagements in remote areas."

Fortuno said the NICA will continue to watch Hernandez for now. "We will submit significant developments to your office as soon as obtained. Rest assured of our utmost cooperation and support on matters of mutual concern," he wrote to Gutierrez.

The President went to Baguio City yesterday for the 104th graduation rites of the Philippine Military Academy.

In his speech to the 240 graduates, Mr. Estrada warned rebel groups against resorting to terrorism.

"We seek today the avenues of peace and compromise. But let no one, particularly those who seek to threaten the stability of our established democratic order, find in this our willingness to be at the mercy of terrorists that claim the loss of life and property," he said.

Mr. Estrada told the graduates to help bring peace to Mindanao in the wake of clashes between the military and Muslim separatist rebels as well as the continuing hostage situation by the extremist Abu Sayyaf.

The continuing violence in Mindanao, Mr. Estrada said, has prevented the government from developing the region.

Meanwhile, former Armed Forces chief Sen. Rodolfo Biazon and Lt. Gen. Edgardo Batenga, head of the government peace panel negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), expressed support for Mr. Estrada's "all-out war" policy against armed groups carrying out terrorist attacks in Mindanao.

"The mailed-fist stance against terrorist bands in Mindanao including some members of the MILF is the correct response to the criminal acts perpetrated by these groups which have attacked not only government installations but the civilian population as well," Biazon said.

Batenga said that the government has a sworn duty to act decisively against terrorism.

"This is what the [Armed Forces of the Philippines] is doing based on what I have witnessed at the ground level and based on the report of the GRP-MILF committee on the cessation of hostilities," Batenga said.