Indonesian bomber will not be released — Ople

An Indonesian terrorist convicted in the country for illegal possession of explosives will not be released by the Philippine government even on orders of Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri, Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople said yesterday.

Ople was referring to Angus Dwikarna, whose release was sought recently by politicians and members of President Arroyo’s Cabinet for the sake of maintaining good relations with Indonesia.

Ople denied the reports implying that he was one of the Cabinet officials working for Dwikarna’s release.

"There is no reason for him to be released," Ople said, clarifying that the Indonesian president, with whom he had a one-hour talk recently, did not make any such request.

However, he admitted that Indonesian politicians from South Sulawesi were exerting pressure on Megawati to intervene so that Dwikarna can be transferred to and face trial in Indonesia.

Dwikarna, who is now under tight custody of the Philippine National Police, was sentenced to 17 years in prison by Judge Henrick Gingoyon of the Pasay City regional trial court for trying to smuggle C-4 explosives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last March.

He has since filed a motion to reverse his conviction but the court has denied it. However, two of his co-accused, Abdul Jamal Balfas and Hamsid Lin Rung, were released on orders of Mrs. Arroyo upon the request of Megawati.

Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns Norberto Gonzales has reportedly advised Mrs. Arroyo to release Dwikarna, citing his strong political affiliations in Indonesia and that his continued stay in the Philippines can endanger the lives of Filipinos in Indonesia who might be kidnapped by Muslim extremists.

Ople dismissed this as mere speculation and said Indonesia should be trusted for the security it accords foreign nationals.

Justice Secretary Hernando Perez has also strongly opposed Gonzales’ request to release the Indonesian convict even as he disclosed that two of his Indonesian counterparts, whom he did not name, had put pressure on him to release the convict.

"We denied it because there was evidence to pin him down. True enough, he was convicted," he said.