‘Terror expert’ apologizes to Duterte

DAVAO CITY — Self-proclaimed anti-terrorism expert Samson Macariola apologized yesterday afternoon to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for having dragged him into the controversy over the reported smuggling of a bomb aboard a domestic flight from Manila to Davao City on Aug. 14.

Duterte, who is also President Arroyo’s anti-terrorism adviser, had castigated Macariola for insinuating that the Davao mayor was the official who authorized the simulated bombing mission.

He said Macariola is a liar and irresponsible for dragging his name into the controversy that has caused anxiety and fear among airline passengers.

Duterte admitted that he hired Macariola as a security consultant sometime in 2004 to give lectures to local policemen, members of the police Aviation Security Group in the region and the Army-led Task Force Davao.

Macariola yesterday sent a text message to Christopher Bong Go, Duterte’s executive assistant, apologizing for what happened.

Macariola said in his text message that he apologizes to Mayor Duterte whom he respects highly.

The anti-terror expert said that despite his apology, his integrity remains intact.

Macariola likewise stated that he was not to blame for what happened.

He blamed the reporter who wrote the news report that came out in a major daily that caused the fiasco, insisting that he clearly said that the whole exercise was only a simulation but the reporter allegedly went ahead and "dramatized" the story.

"I cannot let Arlene (de la Cruz, the reporter) get away with her selfish interest. Truth will come out," Macariola partly said in another text message.

Director Reynaldo Esmeralda of the National Bureau of Investigation-Special Task Force said the bureau will subpoena Macariola who was a former NBI confidential agent, to start the investigation on the alleged smuggling of explosives and bomb components on board a commercial airliner.

He said the subpoena will be sent to Macariola’s last known address at No. 20 B. Lopez St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City.

Esmeralda said the bureau had set the investigation of Macariola on Sept. 13 at 10 a.m.

"We will conduct a criminal investigation. We want to question him on the details of the said incident such as who ordered him to do that, what kind of explosives did he use, what flight he took to get to Davao from Manila and finally to know his motive," said Esmeralda.

However, Macariola’s apology has not pacified Duterte who still refuses to talk to the security consultant.

"It is between the reporter and Macariola, so do not give me the burden to explain something which I was not a party to," Duterte told The STAR.

The mayor explained that part of Macariola’s text message about the P45,000 and the Remington is about a handgun that the security expert purchased for the mayor.

But Duterte was also quick to point out that he will still hire Macariola as consultant if it is proven that he is not lying about what really happened in the simulated bombing mission.

"I would still get his services if he is really telling the truth," Duterte said.

The mayor said Macariola’s lectures to the local police and military personnel are valuable in the continuing campaign against global terrorism.

"The problem on terrorism is continuing. Look, I am not stupid to hire the services of somebody whom I do not trust. The guy (Macariola) has certainly contributed something to the entire campaign against terrorism in the city," Duterte added.

Duterte said he met Macariola sometime in 2002 and that the latter sold him copies of his book entitled "Basic Technical Facts About Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives."

"I bought a hundred copies which I gave out to our law enforcers here. The police and the military have it," he said.

Duterte hired Macariola because of his credentials as a lecturer on firearms and ammunition management.

"I do not think that such institutions as the Philippine Military Academy, the NBI would get him as lecturer and training instructor if he really could not tackle the matter well. That was why I hired him," Duterte said.

The mayor likewise explained why it took him almost a week to break his silence on the controversy.

"It was because there are smart alecks in Manila who show interest. They are fast in giving out opinions when they do not know exactly what happened. I held off because I want the Filipino people to judge them for what they are," he said.

Duterte also thanked President Arroyo for not questioning him on the report involving Macariola.

"I really appreciate it that she never called me about it. She never asked me about it. And I am happy for the trust she has in me. I am concerned about her because whatever the result, whether there was a bomb or no bomb at all, that exercise would reflect on the President. That is why I would never do anything to destroy her administration," he added.

Duterte also assured passengers that the test-bombing story was a hoax because it was impossible for anyone to smuggle genuine bomb components without being detected by the X-ray machines at the airport.