‘Anti-terror force not related to Bush visit’

Malacañang dismissed yesterday reports that the government created an anti-terror task force mainly to ensure the safety of United States President George W. Bush, who is due to arrive in the country this Saturday.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the task force, created last Sept. 24 to guard vital facilities and infrastructure from terrorist attacks, was not in any way linked to Bush’s eight-hour visit.

"This is an ongoing concern and it was only by chance that the announcement came with the coming of President Bush," Bunye said in a radio interview.

Bunye pointed out that the task force will go on with its job of securing vital infrastructure like oil depots and other similar facilities even after Bush leaves the country.

President Arroyo ordered the creation of the task force last Sept. 24 as part of her 16-point counter-terrorism program, he said.

The task force will operate under the Cabinet Oversight Committee for Internal Security, which has yet to fully discuss the functions of the government’s newest anti-terror body.

The oversight committee is headed by Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo, while deputy presidential adviser for special concerns Abraham Purugganan heads the task force.

Bunye also assured the people the government is prepared to avert possible terrorist attacks that may be launched by Abu Sayyaf guerrillas during Bush’s visit.

Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Solaiman said his group will stage more attacks this week, depending on the "circumstances and developments."

But Bunye said the military, police and local government authorities all over the country are well-prepared for such terrorist attacks.

"All possible targets were already identified as the government is ready for any eventuality," he said.

However, Bunye belied claims that the Arroyo administration spent P55 million to prepare for Bush’s visit.

"The figure (reported in several newspapers) was incorrect," he said, noting that the government just ordered the repainting and sprucing up of the old buildings at Malacañang.

Earlier reports said the unveiling of the task force came after Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill warned that the terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) may start to focus more heavily on the Philippines, which has many potential "soft targets."

It also came amid increased security preparations for Bush’s visit on Oct. 18.

Muslim guerrillas in the southern Philippines are alleged to have links with the JI and the al-Qaeda terror network of Osama bin Laden.

Mrs. Arroyo earlier admitted that the country remains "an open target" to terrorists, but that the government is working quietly to protect the country and the rest of the region from terror attacks.

She said potential soft targets — Manila’s Western-style clubs, discos, hotels and symbols of Western culture such as multinational businesses and fast-food outlets — have been secured and "hardened."

The President also cited successes in the government’s anti-terror efforts, such as the capture of escaped Abu Sayyaf bandit Omar Opik Lasal by the military last Wednesday.

Lasal escaped together with suspected JI bomber Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi and fellow Abu Sayyaf bandit Abdulmukim Edris from their detention cell at the Philippine National Police headquarters at Camp Crame last July 14.

Only Al-Ghozi has remained elusive after a massive manhunt. Edris fell into government hands but was later killed after he supposedly grabbed the rifle of a soldier.

The President expressed hope that Lasal’s capture will pave the way for Al-Ghozi’s recapture.

She also expressed satisfaction that terror threats in the region have diminished with the arrest of JI leaders and members, but added that Asian countries will have to work together to arrest "this threat of terrorism, cut off their networks."

Mrs. Arroyo said the government has to fight poverty, which she described as the root cause of why many people are recruited to terrorism.

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez, however, said the Australian defense minister’s assessment of the JI threat in Manila has no basis. He said the government is closely monitoring the JI situation in close coordination with security and intelligence counterparts in the region.