In a stunning revelation, a group of retired Secret Service agents has come forward to shed light on a foiled assassination attempt on former President Bill Clinton during his visit to Manila in 1996. The agents detailed a chilling plot orchestrated by suspected al Qaeda operatives, aimed at targeting the President of the United States minutes after his arrival for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
According to the retired agents, the Secret Service received alarming intelligence about an explosive device planted on the motorcade route into the Philippines capital just as Air Force One was making its final approach. Acting swiftly, the agents redirected the motorcade to a back-up route, thwarting what could have been a catastrophic attack.
Further investigation by Filipino security officers uncovered a powerful bomb on a bridge along the original route, along with an abandoned SUV containing AK-47 assault rifles – a stark indication of the assailants’ intentions to ambush the motorcade.
The failed assassination attempt, which appears to be one of al Qaeda’s earliest attempts to strike the U.S., was briefly mentioned in books published in 2010 and 2019. However, it’s only now that eight retired Secret Service agents, seven of whom were present in Manila at the time, have provided the most detailed account of the harrowing incident.
While the revelation sheds light on a potentially grave threat to national security, questions linger about the lack of a formal investigation or follow-up actions by the U.S. government. Despite confirmation from multiple sources, including former U.S. officials and military personnel, there is scant evidence of any official probe into the attempted assassination.
Former CIA director Leon Panetta emphasized the importance of investigating such incidents, stressing that any attempt to kill a sitting president should be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.
The plot is believed to have been orchestrated by al Qaeda operatives in collaboration with the Abu Sayyaf Group, a Filipino Islamist organization considered an arm of al Qaeda. The revelation underscores the growing global threat posed by extremist groups like al Qaeda, despite the organization’s diminished state in recent years.
The retired agents involved in the incident have expressed lingering concerns and unanswered questions about the lack of follow-up actions or investigations into the foiled plot. While the specific details remain classified, the revelation serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present dangers faced by world leaders and the critical role of security agencies in safeguarding their lives.
As the revelations come to light, they raise broader questions about the adequacy of security protocols and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to prevent such threats in the future. The disclosure also underscores the need for continued vigilance and cooperation among international security agencies to counter the evolving threats posed by terrorist organizations worldwide.
