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)
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Source: Voice of America
.