PNP investigating terrorist plot to prevent elections

The Philippine National Police (PNP) uncovered yesterday a plan aimed at postponing the May 14 local and congressional elections through a series of terrorist activities in Metro Manila.

Police intelligence officials said the plan is known as "Operation Plan: No Elections (Oplan No-El)," a last-ditch effort allegedly hatched by some losing opposition candidates to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the polls.

According to a PNP report, "Oplan No-El" was also meant to embarrass the Arroyo administration by making it appear that the government cannot ensure peace and order.

"The idea was to create the scenario of anarchy and fear and (that) the present government cannot handle the situation," an intelligence source told The STAR.

The authorities are now interrogating three alleged members of the Red Scorpion Group who came forward and revealed the details of the plan.

The authorities refused to identify the names of the three suspects who claimed to be part of Oplan No-El’s special operations group and are now undergoing tactical interrogation.

They told interrogators that the grenade explosions at the Ever Gotesco Grand Central mall in Caloocan City and Farmer’s Plaza in Cubao, Quezon City were not simple robberies but actually part of Oplan No-El.

"These blasts were actually part of their test missions," the source said.

Under Oplan No-El, the group was supposed to destroy several key private and government installations including the Light Rail Transit, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pandacan oil depot and the North and South Harbors.

The group is allegedly composed of dismissed but skilled police and military personnel. The plan was allegedly hatched as early as last year.

"Its implementation phase started even before the EDSA people power II last January with initial plans of destabilizing the governments of jailed former President Joseph Estrada and President Arroyo," the source said.

The report was further bolstered when Caloocan City police discovered that the perpetrators of the Gotesco blast were remnants of the Kuratong Baleleng gang.

Caloocan City police chief investigator Supt. Dionicio Borromeo noted similarities in the modus operandi of those behind the April 29 Gotesco blast and the May 6 blast at Farmer’s Plaza.

Both happened on a Sunday when there were many people in the malls and the perpetrators used hammers in destroying the glass display cabinets of jewelry stores before throwing grenades to cover their escape.

Police also noted that the perpetrators targeted heavily-populated malls to ensure public apprehension.

Quezon City police agreed that there were similarities in the modus operandi and theorized that the attacks could not have been simply for money.

"While they (really) intend to rob the stores, their main intention was to sow terror and chaos," said a QC police investigator who noted that the P100,000 loot from the Farmer’s Plaza blast was too small for a gang of 10 to 15 members.