DATE=5/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LOVE BUG PROBE (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262269
BYLINE=AMY BICKERS
DATELINE=MANILA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Investigators in the Philippines say they
do not yet have enough evidence to arrest
anyone in the "I Love You" global computer virus
case. As Amy Bickers reports from Manila, it is
not clear if the case will ever go to trial.
TEXT: Investigators in the Philippines probing
the love bug computer virus say they plan to
issue a report Monday or Tuesday based on
evidence they have gathered so far. Until then,
however, law enforcement officials say no
arrests are likely.
At the center of the investigation is 23-year-old
computer school dropout Onel de Guzman. Thursday
Mr. De Guzman told reporters he may have
accidentally unleashed the computer virus, but he
couldn't be sure. Police say he is trying to
escape responsibility.
Officials are analyzing 17 diskettes seized from
the apartment where Mr. de Guzman lived with his
sister, Irene de Guzman, and her boyfriend,
Reonel Ramones. Mr. Ramones was briefly detained
earlier this week, but was released for lack of
evidence. All three are considered possible
suspects along with Michael Buen, another
computer student.
Carlos Caabay, deputy director of the National
Bureau of Investigation, told a packed news
conference in Manila Friday that a dearth of
evidence is slowing progress.
/// CAABAY ACT ///
We do not file cases if we do not have
enough evidence. We have filed a case
against Mr. Ramones but the evidence is not
complete, it is not sufficient. We have a
difficulty and a problem. The case might be
dismissed if we cannot
augment or improve our evidence.
/// END ACT ///
More than a week has passed since the destructive
computer virus was launched. Officials say they
are concerned that, since then, vital evidence
has been destroyed. They have been unable to
retrieve the computer, which they believe is the
source of the virus.
It is unclear what, if any, of the possible virus
creators maybe charged with, since the
Philippines has no rules governing cyber crime.
Experts say the love bug virus, which struck e-
mail systems at lightning speed around the world
-- including the U-S State Department and the
British Parliament -- could cost governments and
businesses up to 10 billion dollars. It is the
fastest moving computer virus in history.
(SIGNED)
NEB/HK/AB/JO/KL
12-May-2000 07:21 AM EDT (12-May-2000 1121 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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