Gonzales to bare Venable details

National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said yesterday that he is willing to disclose the full details of the controversial Venable LLP contract to the Senate.

Gonzales is considered on leave after the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry into the Venable contract last month resulted in his detention on contempt charges. He was later put under "medical detention" at the Philippine Heart Center In Quezon City after developing heart problems during the hearings.

In his first public appearance since his hospital confinement, Gonzales told journalists at a press conference in Quezon City that he is prepared to answer questions regarding the Venable contract, saying "all the answers will be given at the proper time."

Gonzales made this assurance as he asked his supporters from the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP) to stop all activities and mass actions against the Senate.

The PDSP earlier lobbied for the abolition of the Senate and staged a two-week vigil in front of the Senate building in Pasay City protesting what they perceived as their chairman’s ill-treatment at the hands of senators.

Gonzales was released from detention by the Senate after doctors said he needed immediate heart bypass surgery to save his life, possibly abroad.

However, Gonzales said he is seeking "non-invasive" treatment for his ailment in another local hospital instead of going abroad for surgery.

While Gonzales is officially on medical leave, he said he still gets reports from various intelligence agencies and still regularly provides the President with advice on the country’s national security situation.

At the same press conference, Gonzales said there is a new group of "suicide terrorists" who are armed with assault rifles and are trained to infiltrate crowded places where they will carry out attacks using automatic assault weapons.

These terrorists "will no longer be carrying bombs," he warned. "They will use automatic weapons in killing people to have more impact — the more casualties (there are) the more impact (the attacks will have)."

Quoting intelligence reports, Gonzales said these suicide terrorists will be operating in small groups of six persons, all armed with automatic weapons.

He described the country’s security situation as critical and he urged the public to be vigilant, particularly when they go to public places.

Gonzales also said the government, in coordination with the law enforcement agencies of other countries, is keeping a close watch on suspected terrorists who may have set up sleeper cells all over the country.

He said it is difficult to determine when terrorists will strike, adding that even countries with highly-advanced intelligence and defense personnel and equipment, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, have suffered terrorist attacks.

Gonzales confirmed reports that the opposition is determined to oust President Arroyo by yearend but has not been able to obtain enough support to carry out their plans.

He said the opposition is serious in its effort to oust Mrs. Arroyo but lacks the capability to do so using force.

He also said it is a remote possibility that the suicide terrorists may align themselves with the opposition, but added that "terrorists don’t like politicians." — Perseus Echeminada