NBI shadowing USAFFE members

By: Tetch Torres-Tupas - 10 years ago

Ely Pamatong. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines—The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is already monitoring the movements of members of USAFFE, the group responsible for the attempt to set off an improvised incendiary device at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal III.

NBI Director Virgilio Mendez said USAFFE’s leader Atty. Ely Pamatong has many friends in the south. “We want to check the scope of this group, the people around him and who are his affiliates. What is his advocacy, really.”

Mendez admitted that initial information they received showed that the USAFFE has a significant number of members, but refused to give further details.

“I cannot give an estimate pero madami din sila,” Mendez added.

Mendez said the NBI is already looking at Pamatong’s possible culpability in the NAIA 3 bomb attempt. The group’s other plan is to set off an IED inside the SM Mall of Asia and strafing of the Chinese embassy and the DMCI building, both in Makati.

Pamatong was seized by NBI operatives Wednesday at NAIA Terminal 2 upon his arrival from Cagayan De Oro City. He remained at the NBI headquarters in Manila after he failed to pay the P12, 000 in bond for his temporary liberty.

The arrest was based on a warrant of arrest issued by the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court in October last year for malicious mischief in connection with the 2004 incident when he ordered his supporters to scatter steel spikes along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue after he was disqualified by the Commission on Election in his presidential bid.

Mendez said they are also verifying whether the foiled bomb plot is an authorized activity of Guerrero or if it was sanctioned by Pamatong considering that the latter in television interviews before his arrest admitted that Guerrero is one of his trusted men and officers of the USA Freedom Fighters of the East or USAFFE.

“He openly admitted that Guerrero is one of his staff so we want to know if that is an authorized activity of Guerrero or if it was sanctioned by him, this alleged USAFFE,” the official said adding that if it was sanctioned by Pamatong, then “that would be another story.”