Blast blamed on Akbar's rivals
The blast that ripped through the south wing of the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City Tuesday night is the handiwork of political opponents of Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar and his family.
This was the statement issued by the Basilan provincial government hours following the explosion Tuesday night. Akbar died at the hosptial after being severly injured in the blast.
Cris Puno, Basilan's provincial information officer, said that the explosion was meant to kill Akbar.
Puno said that it was a move of Akbar’s opponents to grab power in Isabela City, Basilan and in the entire province.
Puno added that "enemies of Akbar" are working hard for him to be out of power because they cannot accept that he holds power in Basilan.
Akbar's first wife, Jum, is the governor of Basilan while his other spouse, Cherilyn is the mayor of Isabela City.
Puno declined to name the perpetrators of the blast.
In a related development, Negros Oriental Rep. Henry Teves is in critical condition after sustaining severe blast injuries and burns following the explosion.
Those who were rushed to General Malvar Hospital on Commonwealth Avenue were identified as Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan, who sustained shrapnel wounds to the legs and back; Ismael Lim, driver of Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza; Kim Ar, bodyguard of Akbar; and Maan Abustanilo, a staff of Teves.
Teves has been transferred to St. Luke’s Medical Center where his relatives, including his grandfather, former congressman Herminio Teves, and his uncle, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, rushed to be with him.
Teves's relatives refused to issue a comment as of this posting.
Metro Manila under red alert
Metro Manila has been placed on full red alert after the explosion.
National Capital Regional Police chief Geary Barias ordered check points around the metropolis. Police are also coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the security clampdown.
Bombing well-timed
Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said the bombing "well-timed."
“If it was a bomb, it was very well timed. The session has just ended and congressmen were making a beeline to the exit into their cars. If someone was to set up a bomb at that place that was the right time," Casino said.
Philippine National Police chief Avelino Razon said one fatality, who was identified later as Ilagan's driver Marcial Talbo, was found inside the Toyota
Hi-Ace van parked in front the building’s south wing.
He added that four vehicles were damaged by the blast.
“Ito po ay iyong kay Congressman Akbar, Congresswoman Ilagan at Congressman Teves ng Negros. Dini-determine pa naming kung sino ang may-ari ng pang-apat the sasakyan (These are those owned by Congressman Akbar, Congresswoman Ilagan at Congressman Teves of Negros. We are still determining who owns the fourth vehicle),†said Razon.
Politicians condemn bombing
Several lawmakers, meanwhile, have condemned the “bombing.â€
Speaker Jose de Venecia said the explosion "is a work of an anarchist, a terrorist.â€
He added that the “bombing†was intended to threaten the House of Representatives.
“Certainly hindi ito granada. Siguradong sinadya para takutin ang Kongreso para wala nang session (This is certainly not caused by a grenade. This was done to scare Congress so that there will be no session),†said de Venecia.
He added that Congress is now conducting a full scale investigation together with the Philippine National Police.
“There will be a clean sweep tonight to make sure that there is no bomb left in the premises. We will hold sessions tomorrow, unless the PNP says otherwise,†said de Venecia.
For his part, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel urged the administration to hunt down the perpetrators of the blast.
"To restore confidence of the people, [the] administration must identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the bomb explosion in Batasan,†Pimentel said.
Pimentel also warmed President Arroyo from declaring martial law.
“PGMA (Mrs. Arroyo) must be warned versus doing a Musharraf or else [there will be] more problems ahead,†he said.
Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel said the attack is an appalling attempt to destroy “life, freedom and democracy.â€
"Nothing can rationalize this act. We urge the authorities to immediately investigate the incident and go after the perpetrators of the bombing… It is meant to injure and scare members of Congress, especially since it was timed immediately after the adjournment of the session,†she said.
source: abs-cbn news interactive
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