‘Terror expert’ surfaces at NBI, denies bringing bomb aboard plane

Self-proclaimed anti-terror expert Samson Macariola appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday, denying he had a hand in the publicity stunt that caused a nationwide security scare in all airports nationwide.

In a three-page statement he personally submitted to NBI-Special Task Force (STF) regional director Reynaldo Esmeralda, the self-styled bomb expert maintained that he did not bring any explosives when he boarded the flight to Manila from Davao on Aug. 14.

Macariola also denied the story that came out in a broadsheet that caused the fiasco.

He denied making any statement to the reporter of bringing in live bomb materials inside the plane.

"I have never issued any statement that I actually carried a bomb or explosive device in any aircraft," Macariola said.

"I am a God-fearing and law abiding citizen and I would not venture to do something which is illegal," he said.

Macariola stressed he would not compromise himself or the security of the passengers by carrying a bomb "because I am not, and will never be, a suicide bomber."

Macariola said he would never venture into such an undertaking because of the intense security at the Davao and Manila airports.

Macariola’s lawyer, former justice undersecretary Jose Calida, said they wanted to correct any misinformation over the fiasco.

"We (also) reserve the right to study our legal options regarding that false (news) article. Part of that option is to file a case against those responsible for peddling this hearsay. All options are open and we will not telegraph our punches," Calida said.

Calida declined to identify the possible respondents in the case but he said Macariola’s career had been damaged by the news article.

"I reserve my right to vindicate my honor and to obtain redress of my grievances in our courts of law at the appropriate time," Macariola said in his statement.

He said the article that quoted him — though he was unidentified for "security purposes" — as saying he had carried explosives on a plane is hearsay.

Calida added the complaints would be directed at the reporter who wrote the article for "peddling hearsay or speculations to the public without evidence."

As for the video that purportedly showed Macariola assembling the bomb on the plane, Calida said it was merely a "training video."

Calida explained the materials used in the video are "classified."

Esmeralda, for his part, asked Macariola to submit the video on Friday. "He (Macariola) said that the video was made inside a room and not in the lavatory of the aircraft. We have asked them to submit the video, this would help his case."

Calida, however, replied they do not have the legal obligation to submit the video.

Neither will Macariola submit to a lie detector test to convince the NBI that he is telling the truth, Calida said.

"There is no need for that besides it’s not admissible as evidence. Alam nyo, a person has the constitutional right to be presumed innocent, you do not have to prove that you’re innocent," he said.

On the other hand, Esmeralda said they would also summon Arlene dela Cruz, the author of the article "Suicide bomber" that came out in a major daily that caused the security ruckus.

When asked if he would also call for Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, the alleged employer of Macariola who authorized the bombing experiment, to shed light on the investigation, Esmeralda said it is not necessary. — With Eileen Peñaflor