Arroyo back in RP, in Mindanao for anti-terror meet

MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo returned to the country early Friday morning from Egypt, where she attended the summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Mrs. Arroyo, whose plane touched down at Davao City at 7:47 a.m., is scheduled to preside over an anti-terrorism meeting with top government officials in Cotabato City. But Press Secretary Cerge Remonde declined to say if Mrs. Arroyo will order an all-out war on the Abu Sayyaf. In an interview on dzXL radio, Remonde said the pronouncements will depend on the outcome of the presentations and recommendations at the meeting. On Thursday, Malacañang officially rejected a proposal aired by Senator Richard Gordon to grant amnesty to members of the al-Qaeda-linked bandit group to end the spate of kidnappings and other terroristic activities in southern Philippines. The rejection came after the proposal was heavily criticized by key government officials, including the Department of National Defense and even the US Embassy. Anti-terror meet The anti-terrorism meeting with top government officials is scheduled in Cotabato City, the site of a deadly bombing last July 5 where six people died and several others were wounded. Expected to attend the meeting are Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Armed Forces chief General Victor Ibrado and Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa. The Cotabato explosion was followed by another one in Jolo, Sulu and in Iligan City both on July 7. The Sulu blast killed two people while 13 were hurt in the Iligan explosion. Security officials blamed the Cotabato and the Iligan blasts on a faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front although the rebel group had repeatedly denied the allegation. Meanwhile, officials eyed the Abu Sayyaf behind the explosion in Jolo town. While in Davao, Mrs. Arroyo is scheduled to head the Zero Basura Caravan at the Waterfront Insular hotel. Some 175 mayors and other officials from Regions 11, 12, and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will attend the caravan. - GMANews.TV