NBI set to summon 3 Cebuano bizmen

A special task force of the National Bureau of Investigation will subpoena three Cebuano businessmen who have been suspected as among the financiers in the foiled coup attempt last February.

Task force chief Reynaldo Esmeralda yesterday said he will expand its investigation to Cebu after receiving reports that there are at least three businessmen from Cebu who allegedly provided financial support to the coup plotters.

Esmeralda said the businessmen might be asked to appear at the NBI central office in Manila or in the regional office in Central Visayas.

Esmeralda however refused to reveal the names of the businessmen because they are still subject for further investigation. "Gi-validate na nato kon kinsa ang mga negosyante sa Cebu," he told DyLA radio in an interview.

The Department of Justice had earlier tasked Esmeralda's special task force to investigate the people who might be involved in financing the coup attempt.

Several prominent businessmen in the country are among those investigated so far, such as Antonio Cojuangco, Iñigo Zobel and construction magnate Felipe Cruz, the NBI said.

Former ambassador Roy Señeres had named them earlier as among the civilians who encouraged military officers to withdraw their support from President Gloria Arroyo.

Robert Go, governor for Central Visayas of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for his part assured the NBI yesterday of his full support in case he will be needed in the course of the investigation.

Go however said it would be highly improbable that the three Cebuano businessmen allegedly supporting the coup plotters are PCCI-Central Visayas members. - Fred P. Languido