PNP eyeing curfew option again - report

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is eyeing imposing another curfew amid an alleged leftist-rightist plot to topple the Arroyo government, radio dzBB reported Monday evening. PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr said he is ready to enforce a curfew should they verify the supposed plot between the Communist Party of the Philippines and the Magdalo group. But Razon stressed there is no basis to enforce such a curfew, at least for now. Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez first raised the possibility of another destabilization attempt last weekend when he issued a "reminder" to media to toe the government line in police and military operations. On the other hand, Metro Manila military commander Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa said in a radio interview he has received information of such a leftist-rightist plot in the works. Mesa said it is possible the Magdalo component includes missing Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, who disappeared after the Makati City standoff last November 29. "(They are) talking with some organization purposely to topple this government (but) I don’t think that effort will succeed. Our forces are ready to face any threat," he said in an interview on dzXL radio. In Camp Aguinaldo, Mesa said he was not certain if the communist plan is the same destabilization plot revealed by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales. The plot was to take place between January 17 to 22. "What I know is that the CPP-NPA has plans and they are trying to get in touch with some groups and we will not allow that to happen. We have forces ready and our jointness with the NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) is very strong," Mesa told reporters. But Reynaldo Robles, lawyer and chief of staff of detained Magdalo leader Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, said it was impossible for the Magdalos to get involved in such a plot. In a separate interview on dzXL radio, Robles said his client is already under tight security in the PNP Custodial Center, under watch by elite Special Action Force units. "Walang nakakapuntang tao sa kanya na di namo-monitor. Malabo ang sinasabi nila. Baka ang sinasabi nilang threat, paranoia na lang (No one can get in to visit Trillanes without being monitored. That’s paranoia)," he said. He added even lawyers like him have to go through three checkpoints just to get to Trillanes. "Imagine may magpaplano na kung sinuman kailangan dumaan yan paano pumasok kung sasagawa ka ng planong yan (Just imagine how you can plot a destabilization attempt under those circumstances)," he said. - GMANews.TV