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Corruption Cited in Philippine Escapes
The Philippine president said Thursday that police corruption likely led to the escape from prison of three terror suspects, including a top bomb expert, and threatened to shake up the police force. The escape of Indonesian Fathur Roman al-Ghozi, an alleged bomb expert of the al-Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah group, along with two other suspects has been an embarrassing blow to the Philippine government’s high-profile role in the U.S.-led war on terrorism. A regional hunt for al-Ghozi continued with Philippine authorities checking a claim that he slipped back to Jakarta with the help of a top Filipino police general.
When it pays to bribe the very best.
"I acknowledge the serious problem of corruption in the police organization and I am making no excuses for it," President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said in statement. She said it was "highly probable" that corruption played a part in the escapes from a high-security jail in the Philippine National Police’s main camp. Two other prominent detainees have escaped from the same camp over the past year.
Didn’t know that.
She told the police leadership to "shape up or ship out, and I will not hesitate to undertake a top-to-bottom revamp if no results are forthcoming." Those responsible for al-Ghozi’s escape will be dealt with "no matter who gets hurt," she said.
She’s pissed, and women never forget.
Manila alerted neighboring countries, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia, to be on the lookout for Al-Ghozi, who is accused of involvement in deadly bombings in Manila. Filipino investigators filed a criminal complaint Wednesday against four guards over the escapes.
Try them today, shoot them tomorrow. Next time, either there's no escape or the guards go with the bad guys...
On Thursday, a man who identified himself as Solaiman called the Radio Mindanao Network in the Philippines and claimed his group, called Ali Rahman, was holding Al-Ghozi in Jakarta. The caller claimed Al-Ghozi was turned over to his group by Virtus Gil - the name of the Philippine National Police’s deputy chief - and suggested his group was ready to hand back Al-Ghozi to Manila in exchange for $10 million.
Humm.
Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes said the man’s claim was "extremely wild," but that he would nevertheless check the report with Indonesian officials.
"Anybody there ever heard of this guy?"
Gil angrily denied the caller’s allegation as "character assassination." Police spokesman Col. Zainuri Lubis called the claim "untrue, confusing and ridiculous."
"Lies, all lies."

It'd be worth it to the Philippines government if "Ali Rahman" could produce Fathur's head (but no more of him). As boot for the deal, the PI could then throw in Virtus' head (but no more of him). But I'd guess "Ali Rahman" is Eid Kabalu's nephew with a cell phone.

Posted by: Steve 2003-07-17
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=16603