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