|
Manila: A Vietnamese-American is a real threat to the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Philippines this week, a senior official said.
Philippine military and policemen with the help of their foreign counterparts, have launched a massive manhunt for the foreigner, the official added.
"In view of the uncertainty as to the whereabouts of Vihn Nguyen Tan, 51, it may be assumed that he has not left the Philippines and therefore poses a threat to the forthcoming Asean summit," said Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez.
Authorities have investigated three Philippine immigration officials who were blamed for releasing Tan and giving him a Philippine passport in 2005, after his arrest for bomb making that was meant for the Vietnamese Embassy in 2001.
"As of now, they cannot state with clarity if Vo Van Duc really left the country," Gonzalez admitted.
He did not give assurance that Tan would be located before the Asean summit which will be held from January 10 to 15.
Tan, also known as Vo Van Duc, is the alleged leader of the Free Vietnam Revolutionary Group.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Eugenio Cedo, chief of the Western Mindanao Command insisted that the Asean summit is "secured", but he referred only to the containment of local terrorists from the southern Philippiunes.
"The Armed Forces have sealed all exit points in Sulu, Cagayan de Oro, Lanao, and Dipolog," Cedo said.
With inputs by Rafael Juan, Correspondent
|
