Batasang Pambansa bombing
Encyclopedia
The Batasang Pambansa
bombing occurred on the night of November 13, 2007, at the Batasang Pambansa (National Assembly) Complex in Quezon City
, Philippines
. The blast killed Congressman Wahab Akbar
and Marcial Taldo, a staff member of Congresswoman Luzviminda Ilagan
, and wounded Ilagan, Congressmen Pryde Henry Teves
, and two others.
, died on the spot in Ilagan's car. Basilan Representative Wahab Akbar
, the apparent target of the blast, was rushed to the Far Eastern University
hospital in Quezon City
where he was later declared dead. Police believe the explosive device was planted in a nearby motorcycle
.
Four other people were killed or later died from their injuries, and 12 were injured, including Ilagan and Congressmen Pryde Henry Teves
of Negros Oriental
. Both Congressman Teves' eardrums were severely damaged, apparently disabling his hearing. An earlier report stated that his leg would require amputation, but was later revoked upon the doctor's decision that medical intervention short of amputation could be implemented to rehabilitate the wounded legislator's leg.
Immediately after the blast, lawmakers were not allowed to leave the building.
Director General Avelino Razon was ordered by President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to personally supervise the investigation of the explosion.
The Philippine National Police
(PNP) said in an interview that they had raided a house not far from the Congress Building. The occupants of the house started to shoot at them; consequently, the police killed three persons who, in the usual Philippine knee-jerk scapegoating style, were said to be suspected members of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf
. The following was confiscated in the house: A dozen stickers bearing the logo of the Philippine Congress, a car plate with a number 8 (which is for Congressmen), an Identification Card from the House of Representatives, and the plate number which was suspected to have been removed from the motorcycle that was used to hide the bomb.
Following the arrests of the three suspectes, subsequent police interrogation disclosed "damning evidence" against the slain representative's political rivals, former Deputy House Speaker Gerry Salapuddin and Anak Mindanao
Party-List Rep. Mujiv Hataman, citing the trail of events and mechanisms involved in the planning of the attack, and as such, police said charges would be filed by government prosecutors against the slain Basilan congressman's political rivals. The two political figures appeared beforehand at the National Police headquarters with the desire to clear their names of involvement in the attack. Subsequent action by government prosecutors made Salapuddin and Hataman, together with the latter's brother Benjamin "Jim" Hataman, suspects/masterminds in the bombing.
issued a writ of habeas corpus on petition of suspects Caidar Aunal, Adham Kusain, and Ikram Indama. It required the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), National Capital Region-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (NCR-CIDU) and the PNP Custodial Center to file returns before Quezon City
Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Romeo Zamora on December 18.
On December 20, 2007, the criminal case Q-07-149982 filed against accused Caidar Aunal, Adham Kusain, and Ikram Indama was raffled to the sala of Regional Trial Court branch 83 Judge Ralph Lee after Branch 80 judge Charito Gonzales recused herself. On January 29, 2008, Judge Ralph Lee granted the three accused's motion for preliminary investigation, ordered the DOJ to issue resolution within 20 days, and the arraignment
was set on February 26. The Judge also directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to transfer all accused to the Quezon City Jail. On April 28, 2008, Judge Lee issued the warrant and ordered the arrest of former Basilan Representative Gerry Salapuddin, Police Officer 1 Bayan Judda, Jaharun Jamiri and Benjamin Hataman, all indicted with multiple murder
and multiple frustrated murder cases before the court.
Jamiri Hajirun y Usman, ex- mayor of Tuburan
, Basilan
was indicted for violation of Section 2 of Republic Act 8294 (Illegal possession of explosives) before Manila RTC, on May 15, 2008, and P200,000 bail was recommended for his release.
Batasang Pambansa Complex
The Batasang Pambansa Complex is the headquarters of the House of Representatives of the Philippines. It is located at Batasan Road, Batasan Hills, Quezon City....
bombing occurred on the night of November 13, 2007, at the Batasang Pambansa (National Assembly) Complex in Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. The blast killed Congressman Wahab Akbar
Wahab Akbar
Ustadz Wahab M. Akbar was a Filipino politician who served three terms as governor of Basilan, during which time he was known for his "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" policy for dealing with kidnappers and terrorists in the province...
and Marcial Taldo, a staff member of Congresswoman Luzviminda Ilagan
Luzviminda Ilagan
Luzviminda Ilagan is a Filipino politician and development worker. She represents the GABRIELA Women's Partylist in the 14th Congress of the Philippines.-Batasang Pambansa Bombing:...
, and wounded Ilagan, Congressmen Pryde Henry Teves
Pryde Henry Teves
Pryde Henry Teves is a Filipino politician, a member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines and the congressman for the 3rd District of Negros Oriental. He was elected as a Philippine legislator on May 14, 2007 and was re-elected in 2010...
, and two others.
The explosion
The legislative session had just ended, and lawmakers were leaving the building when the blast occurred at 8:15 p.m. at the south wing of the building. Witnesses reported that "the ground shook and parts of the ceiling collapsed and chunks of the facade were dislodged." Marcial Taldo, driver of Gabriela party-list Rep. Luzviminda IlaganLuzviminda Ilagan
Luzviminda Ilagan is a Filipino politician and development worker. She represents the GABRIELA Women's Partylist in the 14th Congress of the Philippines.-Batasang Pambansa Bombing:...
, died on the spot in Ilagan's car. Basilan Representative Wahab Akbar
Wahab Akbar
Ustadz Wahab M. Akbar was a Filipino politician who served three terms as governor of Basilan, during which time he was known for his "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" policy for dealing with kidnappers and terrorists in the province...
, the apparent target of the blast, was rushed to the Far Eastern University
Far Eastern University
Far Eastern University in the University Belt area, West Sampaloc, City of Manila, is a nonsectarian, private university in the Philippines. Created by the merger of Far Eastern College and the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance, FEU became a university in 1934 under the guidance of...
hospital in Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
where he was later declared dead. Police believe the explosive device was planted in a nearby motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
.
Four other people were killed or later died from their injuries, and 12 were injured, including Ilagan and Congressmen Pryde Henry Teves
Pryde Henry Teves
Pryde Henry Teves is a Filipino politician, a member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines and the congressman for the 3rd District of Negros Oriental. He was elected as a Philippine legislator on May 14, 2007 and was re-elected in 2010...
of Negros Oriental
Negros Oriental
Negros Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. It occupies the south-eastern half of the island of Negros, with Negros Occidental comprising the north-western half. It also includes Apo Island — a popular dive site for both local and foreign tourists...
. Both Congressman Teves' eardrums were severely damaged, apparently disabling his hearing. An earlier report stated that his leg would require amputation, but was later revoked upon the doctor's decision that medical intervention short of amputation could be implemented to rehabilitate the wounded legislator's leg.
Immediately after the blast, lawmakers were not allowed to leave the building.
Fatalities
- Congressman Wahab AkbarWahab AkbarUstadz Wahab M. Akbar was a Filipino politician who served three terms as governor of Basilan, during which time he was known for his "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" policy for dealing with kidnappers and terrorists in the province...
, Representative of the lone district of BasilanBasilanThe Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula... - Junaskiri Hayudini, an aide of Rep. Akbar
- Marcial Taldo, a staff member of Congresswoman Luzviminda IlaganLuzviminda IlaganLuzviminda Ilagan is a Filipino politician and development worker. She represents the GABRIELA Women's Partylist in the 14th Congress of the Philippines.-Batasang Pambansa Bombing:...
of the GABRIELA Women's Party party-list - Maan Gale Bustaliño, the Chief of Staff of Rep. Pryde Henry TevesPryde Henry TevesPryde Henry Teves is a Filipino politician, a member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines and the congressman for the 3rd District of Negros Oriental. He was elected as a Philippine legislator on May 14, 2007 and was re-elected in 2010...
- Dennis Manila, aide of Rep. Teves
- Vercita Garcia, staff member of Rep. Pryde Henry Teves died at 6:30 p.m. because of cardiac arrest at St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon, City on December 17, 2007
Injuries
- Congressman Pryde Henry TevesPryde Henry TevesPryde Henry Teves is a Filipino politician, a member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines and the congressman for the 3rd District of Negros Oriental. He was elected as a Philippine legislator on May 14, 2007 and was re-elected in 2010...
, legislator for the 3rd district of Negros OrientalNegros OrientalNegros Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. It occupies the south-eastern half of the island of Negros, with Negros Occidental comprising the north-western half. It also includes Apo Island — a popular dive site for both local and foreign tourists...
. On December 18, 2007, Teves was moved out of the intensive care unitIntensive Care Unitthumb|220px|ICU roomAn intensive-care unit , critical-care unit , intensive-therapy unit/intensive-treatment unit is a specialized department in a hospital that provides intensive-care medicine...
of St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon CityQuezon CityQuezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
to a private room, and recuperated from fractured leg and sustained deep burns in his arms from the bombing. On January 31, 2008, Teves reported for work at the House of Representatives, against doctors' advice. Teves, still in a wheelchair, wore black cotton gloves to protect his burned hands, and could not shake hands or use his cellular phone. - Congresswoman Luzviminda IlaganLuzviminda IlaganLuzviminda Ilagan is a Filipino politician and development worker. She represents the GABRIELA Women's Partylist in the 14th Congress of the Philippines.-Batasang Pambansa Bombing:...
, legislator for the GABRIELA Women's Party party-list.
Theories and Investigations
Philippine National PolicePhilippine National Police
The Philippine National Police is the national police force of the Republic of the Philippines. It is both a national and a local police force in that it does provides all law enforcement services throughout the Philippines...
Director General Avelino Razon was ordered by President
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to personally supervise the investigation of the explosion.
The Philippine National Police
Philippine National Police
The Philippine National Police is the national police force of the Republic of the Philippines. It is both a national and a local police force in that it does provides all law enforcement services throughout the Philippines...
(PNP) said in an interview that they had raided a house not far from the Congress Building. The occupants of the house started to shoot at them; consequently, the police killed three persons who, in the usual Philippine knee-jerk scapegoating style, were said to be suspected members of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf
Abu Sayyaf
Abu Sayyaf also known as al-Harakat al-Islamiyya is one of several military Islamist separatist groups based in and around the southern Philippines, in Bangsamoro where for almost 30 years various Muslim groups have been engaged in an insurgency for an independent province in the country...
. The following was confiscated in the house: A dozen stickers bearing the logo of the Philippine Congress, a car plate with a number 8 (which is for Congressmen), an Identification Card from the House of Representatives, and the plate number which was suspected to have been removed from the motorcycle that was used to hide the bomb.
Following the arrests of the three suspectes, subsequent police interrogation disclosed "damning evidence" against the slain representative's political rivals, former Deputy House Speaker Gerry Salapuddin and Anak Mindanao
Anak Mindanao
Anak Mindanao is a party-list in the Philippines, based in Mindanao.In the 2004 elections for the House of Representatives the party-list got 269,750 votes and one seat...
Party-List Rep. Mujiv Hataman, citing the trail of events and mechanisms involved in the planning of the attack, and as such, police said charges would be filed by government prosecutors against the slain Basilan congressman's political rivals. The two political figures appeared beforehand at the National Police headquarters with the desire to clear their names of involvement in the attack. Subsequent action by government prosecutors made Salapuddin and Hataman, together with the latter's brother Benjamin "Jim" Hataman, suspects/masterminds in the bombing.
Arrest
On December 14, 2007, in 2-page resolution, the Supreme Court of the PhilippinesSupreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
issued a writ of habeas corpus on petition of suspects Caidar Aunal, Adham Kusain, and Ikram Indama. It required the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), National Capital Region-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (NCR-CIDU) and the PNP Custodial Center to file returns before Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Romeo Zamora on December 18.
On December 20, 2007, the criminal case Q-07-149982 filed against accused Caidar Aunal, Adham Kusain, and Ikram Indama was raffled to the sala of Regional Trial Court branch 83 Judge Ralph Lee after Branch 80 judge Charito Gonzales recused herself. On January 29, 2008, Judge Ralph Lee granted the three accused's motion for preliminary investigation, ordered the DOJ to issue resolution within 20 days, and the arraignment
Arraignment
Arraignment is a formal reading of a criminal complaint in the presence of the defendant to inform the defendant of the charges against him or her. In response to arraignment, the accused is expected to enter a plea...
was set on February 26. The Judge also directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to transfer all accused to the Quezon City Jail. On April 28, 2008, Judge Lee issued the warrant and ordered the arrest of former Basilan Representative Gerry Salapuddin, Police Officer 1 Bayan Judda, Jaharun Jamiri and Benjamin Hataman, all indicted with multiple murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
and multiple frustrated murder cases before the court.
Jamiri Hajirun y Usman, ex- mayor of Tuburan
Tuburan
Tuburan is the name of two places in the Philippines:*Tuburan, Cebu*Tuburan, Basilan...
, Basilan
Basilan
The Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula...
was indicted for violation of Section 2 of Republic Act 8294 (Illegal possession of explosives) before Manila RTC, on May 15, 2008, and P200,000 bail was recommended for his release.