RP backtracks over bioterrorism claims

RP backtracks over bioterrorism claims

PHILIPPINES: The Philippine authorities on Tuesday backtracked over claims that a bioterrorism manual and traces of biological weapons had been found at a Jamaah Islamiyah terrorist hide-out.

Vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia said examination of powders found at an apartment in Cotobato on the southern island of Mindanao showed they did not contain the tetanus bacteria as originally reported.

"Our finding is, there were no chemical or biological agents found," Garcia told reporters.

Police spokesman Sr. Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil also said Garcia's claims on Monday that a bioterrorism manual had been found were not substantiated. He said only "notes on bioterrorism and biotoxic materials" were discovered.

Garcia's comments on Monday had raised fears that JI , which has been accused of the bombings on the Indonesian island of Bali last year, may have been planning to launch a biological attack in the region.

President Gloria Arroyo issued a statement on Tuesday calling on the police and military to be accurate in their reporting "so that the public will be informed of the facts and not be unduly alarmed by sensationalized reports."

She also called on the public to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities who are tracking down suspects from JI, which wants to create an Islamic state across Southeast Asia. -- AFP