By ASHZEL HACHERO
Malaya
Nov. 15, 2007

OPPOSITION leaders yesterday expressed hope Malacañang would not use the Tuesday night explosion at the House of Representatives to declare emergency rule.

“We also hope that this tragic event will not again be used as a platform to push a besieged Congress into supporting measures that could lead to a curtailment of civil liberties or appeal for a cease-fire in the ongoing investigations into the Malacañang bribery scandal and the anomalous ZTE deal,” said United Opposition president and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.

Binay said placing the country under emergency rule would only reinforce a “perception of rising lawlessness and instability,” especially among foreigners as the incident came less than a month after the Glorietta mall explosion in Makati City that killed 11 persons.

“A bomb explosion within the grounds of Congress sends the chilling message that ordinary Filipinos and government officials are equally vulnerable to lawless elements, whether in their homes, on the streets or in their place of work,” Binay said.

The Batasan blast killed four persons, including Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar, and wounded 13.

Binay said Malacañang and the police “would avoid contributing to the confusion and instability by making conclusive pronouncements at this early stage of the investigation.”

He said the opposition would also avoid speculating on the motive.

Senate President Manuel Villar cautioned President Arroyo against using the incident as a major consideration in the implementation of emergency rule in the country.

“If they (Palace and security forces) use this (blast) as an excuse, it means that they are the ones behind it,” said Villar but added it was too early to speculate on who stood to gain from the explosion.

Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. cautioned Arroyo against “doing a Musharraf,” referring to the Pakistan president who recently placed his country under emergency rule.

“To the restore confidence of the people, the administration should identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the bomb explosion in Batasan,” he said.

Security at the Senate in Pasay City was tightened with the deployment of a company of combat-trained Special Action Forces.

The PNP’s SAF will eventually replace the 60-man team from the Police Security and Protection Office which is securing the Senate, said Brig. Gen. (ret.) Jose Balajadia, Senate sergeant-at-arms.

Bomb-sniffing dogs were deployed inside and around the Senate.

BUSINESS AS USUAL

Senators went on regular session yesterday in a bid to show to the blast perpetrators they would not succeed in instilling fear.

Villar said the bombing was the work of enemies of peace and security showing a complete disregard for innocent lives.

Sen. Loren Legarda said government investigation should be swift, thorough and must leave no room for doubt, unlike the still ongoing probe of the Glorietta 2 mall explosion.

Legarda cited the need to restore the people’s confidence in government’s ability to ensure their safety and security.

‘SECURE DEPOTS’

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said this is not the time to make speculations and conclusions and recommended that government secure not just the executive, judiciary, and legislative facilities but also oil depots and other vital installations.

Sen. Jamby Madrigal called for the creation of an independent investigating commission to avert suspicions of a whitewash.

“What is obvious is that this attack is part of a grand scheme. Is this part of the plot to divert attention on the impeachment hearing, the Senate investigation on the payola scandal and the national broadband deal?,” Madrigal asked.

In his opening statement at the opening of the plenary session, Speaker Jose de Venecia condemned the attack “to the bastion of government” by what he called “anonymous, treacherous dark forces.”

“You and I we should not be intimidated into submission, paralysis. Democracy and freedom thrive only if we are determined to fight for it…to show that we are not afraid to show our resolve,” he said.

De Venecia said that while the enemies of the state can destroy buildings, they “can’t destroy the principles on which our House stands.”

On the motion of Manila Rep. Benny Abante, the House has also agreed to contribute P5,000 each for the hospital needs of the killed and wounded employees.

Among the badly injured were Akbar’s staff members Kinhar Indanan and Hulasiri “Nikki” Hayaduni.

SHOCK, DISMAY

The League of Cities of the Philippines joined UNO in condemning the bombing as it called for a “no-nonsense probe” to unmask the perpetrators.

LCP president and Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr. said the bombing is an affront to government.

Abalos also called for calm to allow the police to do their job.

“Hindi ngayon ang panahon ng pagtuturuan at walang basehang pag-aakusa” he said.

The US Embassy expressed “shock and dismay” over blast.

Ambassador Kristie Kenney said she called De Venecia to convey the embassy’s condolences.

As in the Glorietta blast, Kenney said the US is “ready to provide assistance” to investigators.

British Ambassador Peter Beckingham said he looks forward to a quick but thorough investigation into the incident which he described as “senseless violence.”

Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said the loss of lives could never be justified by any motivation.

“The Church condemns such acts. Hideous and violent actions are certainly condemnable actions by the perpetrators. It is a sad thing that lives were lost in this unexpected incident,” said Iñiguez, head of the public affairs committee of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

He asked the public to avoid speculations and “premature reactions” which he said could “agitate actions.”

Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, CBCP spokesman, described the incident as “very alarming” as he noted a succession of violent incidents, the unresolved Glorietta bombing and the killing last Saturday of Alioden Dalaig, head of the Commission on Elections’ law department.

“Mukhang mahirap maiwasan na hindi magambala, gumawa ng ganyang pag-iisip. Very alarming at medyo nakakatakot,” Quitorio said. – With JP Lopez, Anthony Ian Cruz and Gerard Anthony Naval