RP backtracks over bioterrorism claims<\/p>\n
PHILIPPINES: The Philippine authorities on Tuesday backtracked
\nover claims that a bioterrorism manual and traces of biological
\nweapons had been found at a Jamaah Islamiyah terrorist hide-out.<\/p>\n
Vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia said examination
\nof powders found at an apartment in Cotobato on the southern
\nisland of Mindanao showed they did not contain the tetanus
\nbacteria as originally reported.<\/p>\n
"Our finding is, there were no chemical or biological agents
\nfound," Garcia told reporters.<\/p>\n
Police spokesman Sr. Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil also said Garcia's
\nclaims on Monday that a bioterrorism manual had been found were
\nnot substantiated. He said only "notes on bioterrorism and
\nbiotoxic materials" were discovered.<\/p>\n
Garcia's comments on Monday had raised fears that JI , which
\nhas been accused of the bombings on the Indonesian island of Bali
\nlast year, may have been planning to launch a biological attack
\nin the region.<\/p>\n
President Gloria Arroyo issued a statement on Tuesday calling
\non the police and military to be accurate in their reporting "so
\nthat the public will be informed of the facts and not be unduly
\nalarmed by sensationalized reports."<\/p>\n
She also called on the public to remain calm and cooperate
\nwith the authorities who are tracking down suspects from JI,
\nwhich wants to create an Islamic state across Southeast Asia. --
\nAFP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rp-backtracks-over-bioterrorism-claims-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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