Enrile calls for probe on alleged Arroyo slay plot

MANILA, Philippines—Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Thursday called for an investigation into the alleged plot to kill former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is facing charges of electoral sabotage in connection with the 2007 senatorial election.

But Enrile said he was not buying the story that the Aquino administration was behind the supposed plot.

“To me, it’s rather improbable unless the people in Malacañang are crazy and I don’t think they are,” he said. “It is not profitable for Malacañang to threaten anybody because they will become the victim of the threat … What would be gained by Malacañang in harming the former president?

Still, he said authorities should investigate the alleged threat made public by Arroyo’s spokesperson Elena Bautista-Horn, who alleged Wednesday that an administration insider had told Arroyo’s camp about a plot code-named “Put the Little Girl to Sleep.”

“The information has to be analyzed if it’s true or not. It has an impact on national interest. Imagine if something happens to the former president? It can create a problem for the country,” he said.