GMA calls spy robber, plotter’

MANILA – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has accused the opposition of trying to sabotage relationship with the United States in their bid to force her out of office.
Arroyo, during the 6th Regional Cooperatives Summit at the Fitmart Mall Convention Center in Koronadal City in South Cotabato, said she was grateful that US authorities caught “the robbers of classified information" and exposed the plot on time.
“You saw in the reports he passed classified materials to opposition politicians planning a coup in the Pacific region," she said.
“But I thank the US government that on the day I landed in New York last September, they arrested and exposed the robbers of classified information," she said.
The President was referring to the Filipino-American FBI analyst Leandro Aragoncillo who was arrested by the FBI along with former PNP Sr. Supt.
Michael Ray Aquino in New York for espionage on Sept. 10 or two days before she arrived in the same city for the UN General Assembly and a meeting of the UN Security Council.
Arroyo said one of the documents that was acquired in the US was the contract with law firm Venable LLP that national security adviser Norberto Gonzales signed on behalf of the Philippines.
The contract was to lobby for the immediate release of grants and aid due the Philippines in relation to the modernization and improvement of the Armed Forces and the PNP and to find possible funds or expertise for the President’s initiatives in fighting corruption and amending the Constitution.
Arroyo said the contract was the subject on a Senate inquiry which Malaca±ang earlier claimed was not being done in aid of legislation but “in aid of destabilization.”
“Now this coup plotters and robbers of classified information are trying to cover up for their misdeeds by throwing the noise around at every opportunity. Imagine they’re even prepared to go to the extent of destroying Philippine-American relations just to serve their ambition for power. But, they have been caught," she said.
Arroyo said she had been advised by her security officials not to attend the Koronadal event but she overruled them because she wanted to visit the “food basket of Mindanao.”
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said he was alarmed by the alleged espionage that reportedly had reached even the White House.
He said this shows that those who want to grab power would go to whatever length to achieve their goal.
“Mahalaga diyan ay malaman natin kung sino ba ang sangkot na masasabi nating nasa oposisyon sapagkat tunay na nagiging matindi ang ginagawa ng mga kaaway ng Pangulo upang magawa lamang iyung tinatawag na power grab," he said.
Ermita said they would wait for the US government to release the names of those involved who are in the Philippines as well as the details about the plots against the Arroyo  administration.
He said Arroyo has ordered authorities to dig deeper into the report and to specifically look at the activities of persons or groups that have done nothing but seek to weaken the administration or to force the President out of office.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez ordered the NBI to investigate a possible money trail from the Philippines to Aquino and Aragoncillo.
“Why would Aragoncillo do these things without expecting monetary reward?" Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said the probe might eventually establish a conspiracy between Aragoncillo and Aquino and Philippine officials who allegedly received the classified information.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said bilateral relations between the Philippines and the Untied States remain strong despite the espionage case.
“The case being faced by Michael Ray Aquino is a matter before the US court. The bilateral relations between the Philippines and the US remain steadfast and strong and mutually beneficial," DFA spokesman Gilbert Asuque said.
Among the opposition members Gonzalez mentioned were former President Joseph Estrada, Senators Aquilino Pimentel and Panfilo Lacson and Rep. Roilo Golez of Para±aque.
He ordered the NBI to probe private groups and individuals and to coordinate with the Antimoney Laundering Council in checking their bank accounts.
Lacson refused to comment on the case of Aragoncillo, saying he would leave it to the US justice system to decide his fate.
Sen. Rodolfo Biazon urged Malaca±ang to take a look at the information that civilian followers were ready to defend President Arroyo once a military coup erupts. He said this was stated in the classified information that Aragoncillo got hold of from the FBI.