Reply #69: THE WHITE HOUSE RESCUES A TERRORIST

[Tinoire]

THE WHITE HOUSE RESCUES A TERRORIST
What is unusual about the case, The Manila Times reported, is that Meiring
was whisked out of Davao, past the Philippine National Police guarding him
at the hospital, and on to a chartered plane, accompanied by what
Immigration officials described as agents of the US National Security
Agency and agents of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The National Security Agency intervention, confirmed by Immigration Deputy
Commissioner Daniel Queto, sparked intense local speculation as to why an
agency that reports directly to the Office of the President of the United
States would send an entourage of bodyguards to speed Meiring to a hospital
in Manila.

Security tightened around the wounded man immediately. Press were told that
only his doctor—handpicked by the US Embassy—had access, and Meiring was
promptly airlifted to San Diego, home to a US naval base. The American
Embassy has refused comment. Vice-consul Michael Newbill settled the
hospital bills in Davao City.

The Manila Times quoted a friend of Meiring who said he was told by a
Filipino in Davao, carrying a message from the US Embassy that Michael
would never be charged with a crime in connection with the explosion. The
investigation will end up as a stonewall. Michael will be protected
and...the incident will be shortly forgotten, if you're willing to forget it.

Officials in Davao City will not forget. The suspicious blast took place
during a wave of terror bombings across Mindanao as US and Philippine
troops conducted anti-terror exercises. President Arroyo threatened to
declare a state of emergency and demanded that lawmakers rush through her
tough new anti-terror bill. Rush it through they did.

(snip)
http://la.indymedia.org/news/2002/11/22253.php


CIA WHISKS AWAY BRIT-AM BLAST VICTIM; NOW IN US
Edith Regalado July 9, 2002
(archived at http://www.philstar.com)