AFP on alert amid GMA slay plot

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) went on red alert yesterday following the discovery of what the government said was an assassination plot against President Arroyo who is attending today’s graduation rites at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) at Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Angel Honrado said the highest alert status was implemented as a precautionary measure to thwart the assassination plot.

"This is a precautionary measure. As you know, we recovered documents that they will conduct destabilization activities," Honrado said.

Honrado said the plot included a bomb attack during the graduation ceremony at the PMA today.

The government said last month that it had uncovered a plot, dubbed "Operation Hackle," which called for the assassination of Mrs. Arroyo and key Cabinet members as part of a wider conspiracy of disgruntled soldiers, left-wing groups and civilian backers.

The original plan did not push through, however, after Mrs. Arroyo backed out from attending the PMA alumni homecoming last Feb. 18.

The discovery of the plot prompted Mrs. Arroyo to declare a week-long state of emergency, which she lifted on March 3.

The plot was detailed in computer documents seized from fugitive Army 1Lt. Lawrence San Juan following his recapture in Batangas last month.

It showed an elaborate plan by extreme forces from communist and rightist groups to overthrow the government.

One of the plan’s stated goals was to assassinate Mrs. Arroyo during today’s PMA graduation rites.

San Juan was recaptured by government forces a day after supposedly forging an alliance with the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels to bring down the government and install a revolutionary council.

Officials pointed out the plot to assassinate the President included the "Sister Act 1" and "Sister Act 2" phases of "Oplan Hackle," which were supposed to take place from March 18 to 22 and March 23 to 27, respectively.

Both "Sister Acts" as detailed in "Oplan Hackle" referred to attacks and bombings on military camps, elimination of "high-value targets" — including the assassination of Mrs. Arroyo, some Cabinet officials and military top brass — leading to the "main event," which was to be achieved during PMA graduation rites on May 1, or Labor Day.

The phases would be undertaken through either "Plan A, B, or C." Plan A reportedly involves the takeover of the leadership of major Armed Forces services, including the PMA and University of the Philippines, television stations, telecommunications facilities, both chambers of Congress, the Supreme Court and other "high-value targets."

There were also planned attacks in the provinces including Mindanao and Baguio meant to install coup plotters at centers of power.

"Plan B" involves a smaller force working against the government. Security officials did not release the details on Plan C, which was to go into effect if Oplan Hackle were to be uncovered, except to say that it was "alarming."

AFP chief Gen. Generoso Senga said the plan was designed to allow the plotters several alternative operations in case they met up with obstacles.

Honrado added the AFP had placed its entire force on red alert citing intelligence reports that the NPA planned to launch simultaneous tactical offensives.

PMA superintendent Brig. Gen. Leopoldo Maligalig, for his part, said there were no specific threats identified for today’s graduation rites.

Maligalig noted it is standard military practice to be on high alert whenever there is a graduation or any event in the PMA.

"I don’t think there is any," Maligalig said, when asked if a bomb threat was anticipated during the graduation rites.

Ring of steel

Northern Luzon military commander Maj. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, however, is not taking any chances. He stressed the security measures were taken to ensure the safety of the President.

Over in Baguio City, some 1,000 troops from the Army’s elite Special Forces were deployed. The US-trained Light Reaction Company was also deployed in areas around PMA to secure the safety of the President.

"We have enough forces to secure the President, her Cabinet members and all the VIP (Very Important Persons) who will attend the PMA graduation rites. We are prepared for any eventuality," Tolentino said.

Two task forces — Alpha and Bravo - were formed to control the inner and peripheral security of the areas to be visited by the President with the Presidential Security Group (PSG) having full authority over them, including the local augmenting police units.

Security officials made arrangements to prohibit the parking of vehicles inside PMA premises to thwart the possibility of a car bomb.

At least two more helicopters, apart from the President’s, were placed on standby, officials said.

All roads leading to Baguio City were also being monitored with road checkpoints along the way.

Authorities are also monitoring movements of some PMA officials, who are still suspected of links with alleged coup plotters from rightist military elements.

Before Honrado made the announcement of a nationwide red alert yesterday afternoon, Metro Manila and Northern Luzon were placed on the highest military alert level since Thursday midnight.

The military’s National Capital Region Command (NCRCom) spokesman Capt. Ramon Zagala said the decision to place Metro Manila on high alert was a security measure against "validated threats of destabilization."

"We went on red alert Thursday midnight (because of) Oplan Hackle, with the President as the main target tomorrow (today)," Zagala said.

Around 3,000 battle-hardened soldiers from the NCRCOM have been deployed in strategic areas in Metro Manila to protect the seat of the national government.

"We want to make sure that there will be no spillover," Zagala said.

"What’s the use of attacking the PMA when you can’t get Metro Manila? We cannot take that risk," he said.

Last-ditch attempts

Despite the threats, President Arroyo will proceed with attending the graduation rites at the PMA, presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor said.

Even if the threats are real, Defensor said Mrs. Arroyo "trusts the military and the police" to handle her security.

"This is not to instill fear among the people but the assassination plot is true. Intelligence information was gathered one or two months ago and so authorities had to make the necessary preparations to protect the President," he said.

Defensor claimed political opponents were getting so desperate that they now resorted to any means to get rid of Mrs. Arroyo to achieve their goals.

"There is really an assassination plot against the President," Defensor said.

"This is included in their plans because they saw they could not topple the President or force her to resign, so their alternative is to harm the President," he said.

Defensor stressed that Mrs. Arroyo has long been aware of the assassination plot against her.

"She knows about this. She has been briefed about it... She has accepted this as part of her job to face these kinds of threats," he said.

A total of 324 graduating cadets from the PMA Mandala Class of 2006 will march onto Borromeo Field with Mrs. Arroyo in attendance.

As commander-in-chief, the President will deliver a keynote address and hand out award, medals and diplomas to military officer graduates. — With Paolo Romero, Aurea Calica, AP