New ZTE witness fears for his life, Suplico says

MANILA, Philippines - "Alex," the next witness in the Senate inquiry on the botched $329.48-million National Broadband Network (NBN) project, is now "fearing for his life," according to Iloilo vice governor Rolex Suplico. In an interview with radio dzBB on Sunday, Suplico said Alex relayed to him that "suspicious-looking men" asking Alex's whereabouts, were seen in the neighborhood where the new ZTE witness lives. Suplico said Alex might transfer to another house. "Mayroong mga taong suspicious-looking na nagtatanong-tanong doon sa kanyang neighborhood. So medyo nahalata n'ya 'yon, and he relayed a message na nag-iisip siya seriously na lumipat ng bahay muna." Earlier, Alex showed pictures to prove that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and her husband Jose Miguel Arroyo, went to Shenzhen, China in November 2006 for an alleged secret meeting with officials of Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment (ZTE) Corp. The President's husband was earlier linked to the overpriced deal allegedly brokered by Benjamin Abalos Sr, chairman of the Commission on Elections who resigned from his post after being dragged into the controversy. Mr Arroyo and Abalos vehemently denied involvement in the deal. ZTE Corp. bagged the NBN project, whose implementation was suspended by Mrs Arroyo last year amid allegations that the deal was ridden with anomalies. - GMANews.TV