NBI unveils findings on alleged ‘suicide bomber’

No "suicide bomber" boarded a domestic flight to Davao last Aug. 14.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday said "inconsistencies" in the testimony given by news contributor Arlyn dela Cruz prompted them to terminate their investigation into the allegations that suicide bomber Samson Macariola succeeded in assembling an explosive on board an airplane.

"This case is closed. No evidence showed that suicide bombing took place. It was just a story. This incident only destroyed the country’s image and the international community must now be informed that we have in place safe, airport security measures," said Supervising Agent Arnel Dalumpines, NBI-Special Task Force (STF) chief.

In a five-page report the STF submitted to NBI Director Nestor Mantaring, Dalumpines cited four "inconsistencies" in Dela Cruz’s news report entitled "Suicide Bomber flew on RP plane" that came out in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) last Sept. 1.

First, she told in her story that self-proclaimed bomb expert Macariola allegedly wore a jacket when he boarded a Cebu Pacific plane bound for Davao last Aug. 14, but airport surveillance tape showed he wore a polo shirt. She also claimed he went to Davao last Aug. 5, but airline records showed that he took a flight the following day and that he even deposited his firearm, a Glock 9mm and a telescopic rifle 30.05.

Third, she also named two persons who would reportedly corroborate her story, namely civilian security professional and a former United States Drug Enforcement Agency US-DEA) agent Daniel Cruz and Ed Lingao, news manager of the television station ABC-5.

She should have recorded their conversation, videotaped the interview and asked for a copy of said videotape showing the adventurism of Macariola to back up her story when need arises," the NBI-STF said in its report.

They also disputed claims that the 42-year-old Macariola was a bomb expert and that it was reportedly too risky for him to get hold of the C-4 and assemble a bomb inside the plane. NBI records showed he graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) at Adamson University. He is a firearms and ammunition consultant and trainer presently employed by Willi Hahn Enterprise for 16 years.

He is a former NBI confidential agent and is currently a consultant of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who is the concurrent consultant of President Arroyo on anti-terrorism.

It took Special Investigator Darwin Francisco two months of to complete the probe.

Dela Cruz told the NBI that it was Cruz who introduced her to Macariola. They met on Aug. 18 at 7:30p.m. in a pizza parlor located along Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City. Four persons were present during the meeting namely: Dela Cruz, Macariola, Cruz and his wife.

Macariola reportedly showed her a power point presentation on a laptop and the explosive materials such as C-4 and blasting caps that he allegedly sneaked inside the airport. They also saw a video that allegedly showed him inside an aircraft’s lavatory and assembling a bomb.

"They agreed to write a story in print on the condition that Dela Cruz will give emphasis on his recommendations and will not reveal his identity to the public or editors," the NBI said.

But the alleged bomb expert denied the allegations. He admitted that he went to Davao last Aug. 14 but that was to conduct an anti-terrorism seminar.