Thursday, November 15, 2007

Eh-hum # 212


The authorities are considering other angles, but as of the moment, this makes a lot of sense. Two days later, the Philippine National Police believed that Basilan congressman Wahab Akbar was the likely target of the bomb that exploded at the House of Representatives' South Wing. Akbar and four others were killed in the said explosion which also left several others wounded. These inlcuded two other solons, Representatives Teves and Ilagan.

Early reports say that the bomb was planted on a Honda motorcycle parked near the South Wing lobby (see picture above) and was detonated by a cellular phone. Akbar was a former member of the extremist group Abu Sayaff who later turned against them and helped the government in the campaign against it. If investigations lead to the Abu Sayaff, then the incident could've very well been an assasination. Relatives of Akbar in Basilan agree that he was the target, except for the suspects and the motive. His political rivals could also be responsible. Before becoming congressman, Akbar was the governor of Basilan. His first wife succeded him while his second wife is the mayor of Isabela (also in Basilan). So, governing Basilan is an Akbar family affair. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if the attack was politically motivated; they practically owned the place.

Others say that the attack was against the Congress as an institution, or part of a plot to destabilize the government (both were discredited by the PNP). But I guess the lamest and speculative of the bunch (which, as usual, came from a party list congresswoman) was that the bombing was a diversionary tactic to cover-up the ongoing bribery proceedings and filing of impeachment complaints. Let me just say that (1) I'm really tired of hearing this, (2) its not a good idea to say such things without any proof (channeling "Senator" Trillianes at the Glorietta 2 incident) and (3) now it is a good time to get our acts together and find the perpetrators of this heinous crime. Also, I applaud the congressmen/women who decided to cast their (political) differences behind and made an effort to help the victims of the blast, as a team. Sus, puwede pala iyon. If our politicians were that mature, then we (the country) are on our way to better things. I guess there is such a thing as having too much opinion. Eh-hum...

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