THE Makati Business Club yesterday expressed outrage that ZTE star witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr. was abducted by the police last Tuesday in the guise of securing him.

"We reject the explanation by the Chief of the Philippine National Police that it could not have been an abduction since the family had solicited their protection. Mr. Lozada himself and members of his family deny requesting protection," the group said in a statement.

The group also condemned the use of the state security apparatus to suppress the truth.

"During the period of his unwarranted custody, Mr. Lozada was made to sign affidavits that would compromise his intended testimony on the ZTE deal. Even if he was not threatened with physical harm, he was not free to do otherwise while under the control of unknown security personnel. He was made an offer he could not refuse."

The group said it is concerned about the continuing deterioration of the human rights record of the administration.

"Mr. Lozada is fortunate that he is the focus of intense public attention, unlike many other unheralded victims of rights violations. So revealing what he knows to be true has set him free from fear."

The group said the administration erred when it thought that the cancellation of the ZTE contract has negated the need to investigate the deal further.

"They have tried to keep the truth hidden by denying the freedoms of key witnesses. Yet, we all have a stake in knowing the truth. We urge the public to be more vigilant, lest the freedoms denied those few witnesses to the truth are also removed from all of us."

Chief presidential counsel Sergio Apostol dismissed the warning of the Makati Business Club that Lozada may turn out to be the "Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson that would bring down the Arroyo government.

Singson was an ally of Estrada who testified against him during impeachment trials that led to his removal from office in 2001.

MBC, which initially supported Arroyo and the efforts to oust Joseph Estrada in 2001, said the revelations of Lozada "may mark the beginning of the end for the (Arroyo) regime."

Despite its participation in the Edsa 2 in 2001, the MBC later withdrew its support to Arroyo following allegations of poll fraud against her in the 2004 elections as contained in the so-called "Hello Garci" tapes.

Apostol said it is not surprising that such statements would come from the MBC which he said has become been critical of the administration.

Apostol said even if MBC leads efforts against the government, it is unlikely that other business groups like the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PCCI) would support them.

"Wala iyan," he said when asked if the MBC has enough influence to launch anti-administration movements.

Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, AFP public information chief, said the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is exerting efforts to validate a text message from an Isafp civilian agent "R. Diaz" that the military was planning to conduct bombings to divert attention from the testimony of Lozada.

The bombings were to have been carried out 11 a.m. yesterday.

Bacarro said it is evident that the intent of the text message was to create an atmosphere of chaos.

Eastern Police District director Chief Supt. Leon Nilo de la Cruz ordered increased mobile and foot patrol at the EDSA Shrine on fears of mass action following ZTE probe. – Jocelyn Montemayor, Victor Reyes and Christian Oineza