No ‘intel failure’ in Zamboanga blasts – GMA

President Arroyo defended intelligence officials yesterday from criticism for their supposed "failure" to thwart Thursday’s bomb attacks in Zamboanga City.

Mrs. Arroyo, Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes and Armed Forces chief Gen. Benjamin Defensor took exception to accusations of "intelligence failure" hurled by some lawmakers at Brig. Gen. Victor Corpus, chief of military intelligence.

"I don’t think it is wise to make official statements that are based on armchair deductions," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo, who inspected the site yesterday, told reporters that authorities have launched a manhunt for four suspects. "We have already four suspects. We are tracking them down," she said.

"Let’s wait until the four suspects are arrested and charged. Then the authorities can make statements about who’s behind the attack," Mrs. Arroyo said. – Marichu Villanueva, Paolo Romero, AFP