Press Statement
November 14, 2007

Statement of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)

on the Batasan Bombing

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan condemns in no uncertain terms the bombing of the Batasang Pambansa which resulted in the death of Comrade Marcial Taldo and the injury of Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan of Gabriela Women's Party. The explosion also claimed the lives of Rep. Wahab Akbar of Basilan and Maan Bustalino.

The bombing happens at a time when intense political crisis is besieging the Arroyo administration. The incident happened hours before a Senate probe on bribery allegations involving Malacañang as well as Congress hearings on the impeachment case against the President.

We call for an impartial and thorough probe on the incident even as we cry out for justice for the victims. We do not want the investigation to turn into another Glorietta probe wherein the results lack credibility. There should be no cover up. Even as the Philippine National Police (PNP) is popularizing the theory that Rep. Akbar was the target of the blast, it should not immediately and conveniently disregard other political angles that may be the reasons for the blast.

The PNP has the duty to determine whether or not the blast was also aimed at Rep. Luz Ilagan who is a known Arroyo critic, or if the blast was some form of diversionary tactic to cover up the impeachment issue and the Senate bribery probe happening today. All angles, even the highly political, must be looked into for the probe to be credible and acceptable to the public. To immediately limit the probe to the Akbar angle would only fuel public suspicion.

The recent series of explosions that have occurred in Makati City, Quezon City and nearby Cavite province are a cause for alarm insofar as these may be used by the Arroyo government as a justification for more repressive policies. We warn the Arroyo government that doing a Musharraf will be politically costly and will incite further resistance from the people. Whether it is through the draconian Human Security Act or a state of emergency, repressive measures are a totally unacceptable response to these incidents. These only betray the regime's self-serving drive to remain in power at whatever cost.

If the intention of the blast was to sow fear especially among critics of the administration, we can say with certainty that we will not be cowed. We will continue to fight for issues that we firmly believe in. We will continue to hold the Arroyo regime accountable for the many crimes it has committed against the people. ###

NDFP condemns Batasan Bombing;

says responsibility falls on GRP

Fidel V. Agcaoili
Chairperson
NDFP Monitoring Committee
November 16, 2007

The Human Rights Monitoring Committee of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP-MC) condemns in the strongest terms the bomb blast at the House of Representatives (HOR) on the evening of 13 November 2007 which claimed four lives and wounded several others including Gabriela Women's Party (GWP) Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, particularly to the family of

Rep. Ilagan's driver, Marcial Talbo, whose son had earlier given his life for the national and democratic interests of the people.

The NDFP-MC holds the Arroyo regime responsible for this dastardly bombing. The sharpening contradictions within the ruling classes over lucrative government contracts, bribery of congressional and local officials, electoral fraud, and impeachment procedures, have considerably increased the level of state violence against the people.



 

There is widespread perception that the bomb explosion in the House of Representatives, as well as the Glorietta 2 mall blast last 19 October 2007, are interconnected and meant to deflect the people's attention away from the corruption scandals and lay the basis for the adoption of draconian measures by the Arroyo regime for its political survival.

The NDFP-MC does not expect the Arroyo regime and its investigative task forces to carry out any impartial and credible investigation of the explosions. They easily jump to preset conclusions without any credible evidence.

As for the offer of investigative assistance by the US government, it smacks of hypocrisy and opportunism. It is meant only to support the preset conclusions put forward by the regime and its investigators.

REFERENCE:
Ruth de Leon
Executive Director
NDFP International Information Office
Tel.+31-30-2310431
Fax +31-84-7589930
Email: ndf@casema.nl

Website: http://home. casema.nl/ ndf
Email address: ndf@casema.nl
Telephone: 31-30-2310431
Fax: 31-84-7589930
Mailing address: Amsterdamsestraatwe g 50, NL-3513 AG Utrecht, Netherlands
 

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. ###

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

 

A noise barrage to drive home the message

and drive away the fake president out of the Palace

MEDIA STATEMENT
14 November 2007

Reference: Emmi de Jesus, Secretary General, 371-2302 / 0917-322-1203

GABRIELA ON THE BATASAN BOMBING

GABRIELA National Alliance of Women condemns in the strongest possible terms the bombing in Batasan Pambansa last night which killed Marcial Talbo and injured three other members of Gabriela Women's Party including Representative Luz Ilagan. We call for an immediate and independent probe on the bombing, fully aware of the inutility of the PNP on resolving matters of grave concern.

The haste by which Manila Police Geary Barias and National Security Chief Norberto Gonzales state that the bombing was intended for Rep. Wahab Akbar and that the motive is personal is highly suspect. Their statements were baseless and irresponsible and could only be motivated by an immediate need to divert suspicions from the real perpetrator and mastermind of this heinous crime. They have employed the same ploy in the Glorietta 2 explosion and they are doing it again.

The bigger question that should be resolved on the Batasan bombing, just as in the Glorietta 2 explosion, is "who stands to gain?" The Glorietta 2 explosion came at the time when the Malacañang bribery case was exposed. The Batasan bombing came the day before Pampanga Governor Panlilio was set to testify on the bribery in the Senate and the day before the House Justice Committee Hearing on the impeachment case. These circumstances make the Arroyo government

There is a political crisis and it is rooted from Malacañang, where sits a President whose authority has long festered through electoral fraud, graft and corruption, economic sabotage and unequalled human rights violations. We cannot expect for the truth to come out and for justice to be served for as long as there sits in Malacañang a lying, cheating, stealing and manipulative president.

For Marcial Talbo and the other victims of last night's bombing in Batasan, justice must be served.###
 

PRESS STATEMENT
14 November 2007

PATTERN OF USING VIOLENCE AS DIVERSION

TO THE POLITICAL SITUATION UNDER

THE ARROYO REGIME NOW EVIDENT

We reiterate our condemnation of the bombing of the House of
Representatives Tuesday night. We extend our sympathies to the victims of this brazen and cowardly attack against the House of
Representatives and the Filipino people.

The latest attack on the House of Representatives leads us to conclude that there is an undeniable pattern of acts of violence occurring at the most conspicuous political timing. That this recent tragedy, no different from the Glorietta blast is once more, a diversionary tactic, is highly probable.

We must not forget that the still unresolved Glorietta tragedy shocked the nation during the height of public condemnation for the ZTE scandal and the snowballing calls for Mrs. Arroyo's resignation. The Congress blast now comes at the eve of the Senate investigation of the Malacanang breakfast bribery and the Committee on Justice' dismissal of the impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo.

We are calling for an impartial and thorough investigation on the
Congress blast, considering angles beyond that of political vendetta
towards Rep. Wahab Akbar. That the bombing occurred at the House of Representatives indicates that it is meant not just to harm or kill but to deliver a strong political statement.

We must not discount the fact that among those injured is an endorser of the genuine impeachment complaint, Gabriela Representative Luz Ilagan. Gabriela Women's Party shall fully cooperate and actively participate in any independent probe on this tragedy.

We reiterate our calls for the perpetrators to be brought to justice,
and for the public to remain vigilant. Let this not justify any move
by the Arroyo administration to impose measures to curtail our rights and liberty such as the declaration of a State of Emergency. Let us not allow these patterns of violence to divert us from our continuing demand for truth, public accountability and respect for human rights. #

For Reference:
REP. LIZA LARGOZA MAZA 0920-9134540;

REP. LUZVIMINDA C. ILAGAN 0920-9213221
Cristina Palabay (Secretary General) 0917-5003879;

Jang Monte (Public Information Officer) 0915-6463009

Ka Marcial Taldo, Tatay Tibong to youth activists

WHO IS MARCIAL "Tibong" DUMAPIAS TALDO?

A loving husband, a responsible father and uncle and a friend who
always had a smile to give. This was how family and loved ones
remember the first fatality of the November 13 Batasan bombing.

The 54 year-old driver of Gabriela Women's Party Representative Luz Ilagan originally hails from Loboc, Bohol and is the youngest of
eight siblings. He finished 2nd-year high school and was forced to
earn his keep when they had to move to Davao with other relatives
after they were orphaned.

His involvement in the progressive movement began in the early 1980s as an organizer for the Agdao community in Davao. His friendly and cheerful demeanor made him a very approachable and effective organizer. They fondly called him "Tibong" or "Tiburcio" a name that had stuck since his days as a community organizer in Davao. This was also where he met his wife Mayang, with whom he has two kids, Norman and Norcel. His children would remember how Marcial would jokingly say, "It was your mother who courted me!"

In 1987, Tibong and his family was forced to relocate to Manila at
the height of militarization campaign and the formation of the Alsa
Masa vigilante group in Mindanao which targetted community
organizers like Tibong and Mayang. Tibong's family became part of
the Davao City Displaced Families and was likewise part of a
Mindanao support group, Katig Mindanao.

When they reached Manila, Tibong volunteered as driver and messenger of various NGOs such as the Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace, Save the Children Foundation, Philippine Social Science Center, GTZED and OXFAM-USA.

A charismatic individual and a natural organizer, Tibong remained
active in community concerns as president of the Samahan ni Birhen Fatima. Long time friends also said he had a natural concern for and respect for women. This was probably why, he and his wife Mayang both became active with the local Gabriela affiliate in their community, Samahan ng Maralitang Kababaihang Nagkakaisa (SAMAKANA).

Family and friends would recall that he was always conscious of
making sure that rights of both men and women are equally
recognized. Tibong had no qualms with doing housework nor with being domesticated. He would cook, do the laundry and even take care of their little backyard garden. His favorite bonding time with his children would be during wrestling or boxing matches, Tibong himself being a Judo black belter.

Rep. Luz Ilagan would describe Marcial as a conscientious and
cheerful worker who had much initiative and was always a careful
driver. According to friends, they were not surprised when Tibong
opted to drive for Rep. Ilagan. He was the kind who was always eager to volunteer whatever skills he had to the progressive
movement. "Driving is the one thing I can do well. It is my
contribution to the movement," Marcial would say. #

Marcial Taldo's remains lie in state at the St. Peter's Church in
Commonwealth, Quezon City. He will be laid to rest on November 17, Saturday at the Holy Cross Memorial, Quirino Hi-way, The funeral march which will pass by the Batasan gates will start at 9:00 am.

(Prepared for friends in the media by: Gabriela Women's Party)

__._,_.___

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Related webpages:

■   Fil-Ams demand independent probe of Batasan bombing, Nov. 15, 2007

■   March for justice for Ka Marcial Tibong Taldo and other victims of the Batasan bombing, Nov. 17, 2007

■   Medical advisory and updates on Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan

■   Gabriela Women's Party statement on Batasan Blast

■   GMA, Back off - GABRIELA

■   NAFCON Statement of Concern

■   Progressive Filipino Women's Alliance Calls for Urgent Action to Condemn the Batasan Bombing

■   KARAPATAN calls for an independent investigation of the BATASAN Bombing

■   Labor Center condemns blast and calls it “a handiwork of a sick mind”; condoles with victims

■   “KMP wants Norberto Gonzalez’s head for spate of bombings!”

■   Anakbayan: Batasan bombing blamed on culture of impunity, state terror

■   Anakbayan: End Arroyo's terror scare!Batasan bombing meant to justify full implementation of Terror Law

■   Youth group finds PNP's quick conclusions 'dubious'; Joins calls for independent probe on Batasan bombing

■   CEGP: A serious threat on public security

■   Gabriela Network holds Macapagal-Arroyo responsible for cycle of violence; condemns bombing at Philippine Congress

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