Manila Slaying Brings Caution for Americans

Americans in the Philippines were advised Friday to take extra safety precautions after suspected Communist guerrillas assassinated a top U.S. military adviser in a Manila suburb.

The Philippine military also stepped up security for U.S. bases and personnel after Army Col. James N. (Nick) Rowe was ambushed on his way to work early Friday morning.

Rowe, 51, a native of McAllen, Tex., was a decorated Vietnam War hero who was held in a cage for five years by the Viet Cong as a prisoner of war until he escaped in 1968.

Rowe was chief of the army division at the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group headquarters in the Manila suburb of Quezon City. The unit provides training and logistical support to the Philippine military, which is fighting a 20-year Communist insurgency.

No Claim of Responsibility

No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but Defense Secretary Fidel V. Ramos said Philippine officials believe the killers were Communist rebels. He noted that the rebels had threatened to attack U.S. targets unless the United States closed its bases here and stopped aiding President Corazon Aquino’s government.

U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Platt said in a statement that he was uncertain about the rebels’ involvement.

“But should anyone think that killing this brave officer will alter in any way (the) U.S. policy of support for Philippine democracy, they are wrong,” he said. “ . . . This act will only strengthen American resolve to stand with the government and people of the Philippines led by President Aquino. We will not be deterred by terrorists.”

At the White House, Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater called the killing “a cowardly and heinous act.

“Col. Rowe was in the Philippines to help the Filipino people in their efforts to defend democracy,” Fitzwater said.