Fil-Ams Condemn Batasan Explosion; Suspect Pro-Impeachment Solon Targeted

News Release
November 13, 2007

Reference: Berna Ellorin, Secretary-General, BAYAN USA, email: secgen@bayanusa.org

Fil-Ams Condemn Batasan Explosion; Suspect Pro-Impeachment Solon Targeted

The US Chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, or BAYAN USA, condemned the most recent car explosion at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City a few hours ago that killed at least one Congressperson, one driver, and injured several. The explosion was set off at approximately 8:00 pm Monday at the South Wing driveway of the House of Representatives complex in Quezon City. Police investigations are ongoing.

"Like the Glorietta bombing, this is a deliberate offensive to justify the intensification of anti-terrorism measures such as the Human Security Act, and further crackdown on civil liberties and minimize democratic space. But the government clearly cannot provide real security for their duly-elected officials in Congress," stated BAYAN USA Chair Chito Quijano.

The blast immediately killed Marcial Tuadlo, a driver for Gabriela Women's Party Representative Luz Ilagan. Basilan Representative Wahab Akbar also died at Far Eastern University Hospital while undergoing treatment. Ilagan, one the House members who endorsed the impeachment complaint against President Arroyo that is now pending before the chamber's justice committee, is being treated for injuries at the Malvar General Hospital.

"The recent filing of the impeachment complaint in the lower House is now putting Malacanang in a power struggle. Although there is still an ongoing investigation, the fact that it is of primary interest for the highest seat to stop the impeachment complaint on its tracks makes us very suspicious. We hope this investigation is thorough and doesn't suffer the same ill fate as the so-called police investigations into the extrajudicial killings and abductions in our country. It must come to a definite end-- capture and prosecution of the bombers," Quijano ended.

Aside from the impeachment complaint against Arroyo, Representative Ilagan also participating in filing the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB), and has been active in issues of overseas Filipino workers, especially with the Sentosa 27++ campaign and the case of slain NYC domestic worker Fely Garcia.

Quijano also pointed out that Ilagan remains an outstandingly solid voice for the rights and dignity of overseas Filipinos in a mainly anti-migrant welfare administration. ###