NBI: 'Love Bug' suspects now 53

Fifty-three people are now being eyed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as potential suspects in the "Love Bug" computer virus case based on names found in diskettes seized from the apartment of AMA Computer College student Onel de Guzman.

The NBI earlier said it was looking at a list of 12 suspects based on names provided by local Internet service providers whose servers were used to spread the virus.

Sources said subpoenas had been sent to all those whose names appeared in the diskettes, but so far only 10 have appeared before NBI investigators. They declined to elaborate on the identities of the new suspects.

The initial batch of suspects, including a close friend of De Guzman, all came with their lawyers.

"The number of suspects has grown significantly since we started analyzing the evidence. We have invited all of them for questioning, and some responded immediately," one NBI source said.

The NBI has also said it was starting to analyze a computer unit belonging to one of De Guzman's friends.

"Agents with computer experts are now at the house of De Guzman's classmate, and are analyzing the contents of the hard drive," the source said. "Experts said the hard disk contains information which cannot be totally deleted, and they are hoping that this will be the breakthrough we need to catch the real culprit."

The discovery of the new list of suspects and the computer unit was confirmed by NBI deputy director for special investigative services Carlos Caabay.

The official, however, refused to comment further on the new development, saying all new information will be revealed at a press conference at 3 p.m. today.

"Definitely more names are popping up... they are not necessarily AMA students or members of GRAMMERSoft," he said.

He pointed out that they are considering to file charges of malicious mischief and destruction of property against the suspects since there is no law against computer crimes in the country.

Earlier, leaders of the House of Representatives said they would open floor debates this week on the proposed Electronic Commerce Law, a measure seeking to outlaw computer hacking.

Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr. said the Senate version of the measure has already been passed on third reading, and is now waiting for the House to approve its version so they can be amalgamated before being enacted into law by President Estrada.

"I am pleased to note that our people are now recognizing the significance of the E-Commerce Law that underwent a long and painstaking process in the Senate," Magsaysay said. "It is, however, unfortunate that the 'Love Bug' disaster had to happen before this crucial legislation could be given attention."

The proposed law seeks to "protect and promote" commercial transactions conducted through the Internet as well as penalize anyone "who shall hack into, alter, forge, inflict damage on, violate the secrecy of, or illegally misuse electronic documents, including e-mails."

Hackers could get six months to three years in prison, plus fines commensurate to the damage incurred.

Magsaysay, chairman of the Senate committee on science and technology, said they had initiated numerous consultations with concerned sectors, three public hearings and at least six technical working group meetings.

He acknowledged House Majority Floor Leader Eduardo Gullas for committing the chamber to pass its version of the bill before the end of the month.

Meanwhile, Rep Joker Arroyo (LAMP, Makati) said yesterday the proposed measure against computer hacking was very "anti-Filipino."

"The purpose of the law is pro-foreigner and anti-Filipino," Arroyo said. "We should not fashion a law that only serves the purposes of foreign manufacturers."

He explained that it was unfair for US software companies like Microsoft to ask the Philippines "to outlaw an act that exposed the defects of their supposedly fool-proof systems."

The lawmaker said Congress should not be stampeded into enacting a law without fully understanding its effects on Filipinos.

Arroyo said the proponents of the bill had better "pitch tents for a long battle." - With Liberty Dones, Marichu Villanueva