Aquino: I want Gloria convicted, not put to sleep

MANILA, Philippines — Despite his obvious pique by the allegation and reporters’ questions about it, President Benigno Aquino III denied Thursday that his administration had any plan to kill former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He said he looked silly just answering questions about it.

“What we promised is conviction;  for those who committed a crime to be convicted,” President Aquino told reporters in Malacañang.

Nonetheless, the President said, Arroyo would be safer in detention rather than outside government custody.

“What motive would we have for such? How can we convict when the accused is no longer around?” Mr.  Aquino said.

The President was apparently piqued by questions related to the so-called “Oplan Put the Little Girl to Sleep” that an Arroyo spokeswoman claimed on Wednesday the government had drawn up.

“We don’t comment on works of fiction,” Mr. Aquino said when asked the first question regarding the alleged plot.

Subsequent questions appeared to irk the President, who said he was starting to look silly by continuing to answer inquiries regarding the alleged assassination plot.