New Zealander Arrested In Philippines Along With Soldiers Wanted For Mutiny
Foreigner, 6 others in mutiny nabbed--police
By Tonette Orejas, Abigail Kwok
Central Luzon Desk INQUIRER.net
Posted date: April 23, 2009
ANGELES CITY – (UPDATE) The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force and the Bureau of Immigration arrested on Thursday night a foreigner and six retired Philippine Navy soldiers suspected to be involved in a mutiny in 2003, authorities said on Friday.
Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo dela Cruz, police regional office 3 chief, said the six “ex-AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines]” members were arrested at around 5 p.m. at the Eagle Firing Range in Clark.
Dela Cruz has yet to name the six soldiers, but said they were invited for questioning for possible violations.
The six were reportedly undergoing training as “VIP securities” and authorities confiscated several firearms from the former soldiers, who Dela Cruz said would have to undergo verification.
Dela Cruz also stressed that authorities were still verifying if the six were involved in the shortlived uprising in the posh Oakwood Apartments in Makati City in July 2003.
The foreigner, a New Zealander, was only identified by his last name, Newman. His exact involvement in the uprising of the soldiers is not known.
Dela Cruz said Newman was found to have an expired tourist visa.
BI Assistant Commissioner Enrique Galang Jr., who was contacted at 10 p.m., Thursday said he had no information about the arrest.