New Zealander 'trainer,' six 'Magdalo' soldiers nabbed

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 04/25/2009 10:40 AM

Operatives of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) arrested a alleged mercenary from New Zealand while training alleged members of the so-called Magdalo group in a former US military base in Angeles City, Pampanga, Friday night.

PAOCC intelligence director Bong Villafuerte identified the New Zealander as Anthony Newman. He said the foreigner is now detained at the maximum security detention center in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig.

Villafuerte said Newman was arrested for training former members of the Philippine Navy's Special Warfare Group. He said the New Zealander entered the Philippines using a tourist visa.

Earlier reports said four former Navy officers and two Army personnel, alleged members of the so-called Magdalo group that staged a failed military coup in 2003, were arrested by members of the PAOCC and the Bureau of Immigration from a private shooting range at the Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City.

Authorities have yet to identify the alleged Magdalo members.

PAOCC Commissioner Butch Belgica said the group had been under surveillance for the past two months. Belgica, however, did not clarify why the foreigner and the alleged Magdalo soldiers were arrested.

There were reports that at least 11 other former soldiers were able to elude arrest. The arrested soldiers have been brought to Camp Tomas Pepito in Angeles City.

Meanwhile, Villafuerte confirmed that an Australian national identified as Steven Curtis Rossiter, who was also allegedly training the alleged Magdalo soldiers, was able to escape.

He said Rossiter is a former member of the Australian special forces.

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman, denied that the alleged Magdalo soldiers were arrested for plotting against the government.

Earlier reports said the soldiers were training in preparation for a destabilization plot.

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