Arrest of Fil-Am terror suspect unlikely to harm PH-US ties - Palace spokesman

From InterAksyon (Nov 24): Arrest of Fil-Am terror suspect unlikely to harm PH-US ties - Palace spokesman

Malacanang on Saturday said the arrest of a Filipino immigrant suspected of planning terror attacks against Americans is unlikely to upset Philippine-US relations. Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the arrest of 23-year old Ralph Kenneth de Leon would not rattle the two countries' ties, which date back to the 19th century. “We cooperate with each other in terms of intelligence. This has nothing to do, (and) will not have any effect on PH-US relations,” Lacierda said. Despite his crime, de Leon, who is under solitary confinement at a San Bernardino County detention facility in California, can expect assistance from the Philippine government, Lacierda said.  But the Philippines will not stand in the way of de Leon's prosecution, the Palace spokesman said. “We will let the US law enforcement agencies prosecute him. In the meantime, our consulate office [in Los Angeles] is ready to give him necessary assistance,” Lacierda said, adding that Philippine consular officials visited de Leon in detention. Lacierda said the Philippine government's only obligation is to ensure that de Leon is doing well. “But this is as far as we’re going to see how our Filipino national is. Prior to that, if he intend(ed) to join terror network, he has to be aware of consequences of joining a terrorist organization. Most countries have condemned and put penalties on joining terror network,” Lacierda said..... In a statement released also on Saturday, the Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr. said the embassy and the Consulate General in Los Angeles are working closely with American authorities to get more information about the reported terrorist plot and to ensure that de Leon's rights are protected.....

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/48828/arrest-of-fil-am-terror-suspect-unlikely-to-harm-ph-us-ties---palace-spokesman