Independent probe on blasts sought

A former commissioner of the country’s human rights body called yesterday for an independent body to dig deeper into the explosions that rocked the House of Representatives and the Glorietta 2 shopping mall to erase any perception of a cover-up.

Nasser Marohomsalic, now a human rights lawyer, said police findings in the Batasang Pambansa blast have raised more questions and cast doubt on the credibility of the Philippine National Police (PNP), military and other law enforcement agencies.

“The creation of an independent panel would give the PNP the people’s trust and confidence,” he said.

The police investigation into the two explosions would always be subject to doubt because of conflicting reports from local and foreign “experts,” he added.

In the Glorietta blast, police initially hinted at the presence of RDX – a component of the military explosive C-4 – but later pointed to a possible gas explosion caused by the accumulation of methane and diesel in the shopping mall’s basement, Marohomsalic said.

“Why the sudden turnaround?” he asked.

The diesel tank sustained only some dents and the diesel content was intact, according to a source privy to the investigation.

Experts say diesel must first become vapor for it to ignite at a temperature of around 80 degree centigrade.

“The Scene of Crime Operation Office (SOCO) is mad at the conflicting reports on the incident,” the source said.

Independent experts contradict the police findings as fresh human waste and diesel cannot trigger any explosion.

“The extent of the damage of the building contradicts police findings that it was a gas explosion,” the source said.

The sum pit (pozo negro) of Glorietta is so small because it only serves 10 restaurants, according to reports.

Akbar’s wife accuses 3 suspects of murder

Basilan Gov. Jum Akbar filed a complaint for murder yesterday against three suspected Abu Sayaff terrorists at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Accompanied by her lawyer Siegfried Fortun, Jum, the first wife of Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar, accused Caidar Aunal, Ikram Indama and Adham Kusain of murder and frustrated murder.

Wahab Akbar was killed in the bomb attack at Batasang Pambansa last Nov. 13.

“Governor Akbar promises to continue prosecuting the suspects and (make) sure that those behind the attack will be put behind bars,” Fortun told The STAR in an interview.

It is incumbent for the family of those killed in the attack to file charges against the suspects, Fortun said.

Investigators will use Governor Akbar’s complaint as basis to file  four counts of murder and frustrated murder charges before the Department of Justice.

Three officials, who are part of the probe, told The STAR in separate interviews that investigators have gathered information that could lead to the identity of the mastermind and other accomplices in the bombing.

“We already have evidence to identify other accomplices but our investigators are trying to find more (evidence), we want concrete evidence before we make anything public so the police will not be criticized of half-baked work,” a police official said.

Metro Manila Police commander Director Geary Barias said police have not yet considered as suspects former Basilan representative Gerry Salapuddin, and Anak Mindanao party-list Rep. Mujiv Hataman because there is no direct evidence linking them to the attack.

JDV to discuss Batasan blast with Puno, Razon

Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. meets today with Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno and PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. on the progress of the police investigation into Tuesday night’s Batasan explosion.

Senate President Manuel Villar was also invited to the meeting, where security measures at the Senate would also be taken up.

Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez, who represents the minority, said he expects a briefing from Razon on the results of the investigation.

De Venecia said the meeting is part of the “parallel” inquiry that he has ordered into the blast that killed Basilan Rep. Wahab

Akbar and three House employees.

“It’s not really a parallel inquiry in the sense that we are conducting our own investigation,” he said. “It’s an inquiry in the sense that we are monitoring the police probe.”

De Venecia said the House would comment at the proper time if it is not satisfied with the police investigation.

He and his colleagues would like to look at other angles, like the possibility that terrorists attacked the Batasan to make

a “political statement” rather than targeting a specific person, he added.

Security arrangements at the House and the Senate are also in the agenda in today’s meeting.

Puno and Razon immediately relieved the police detail at the House following Tuesday night’s explosion.

Golez said De Venecia felt slighted by Puno’s and Razon’s unilateral decision to relieve the policemen guarding the Batasan complex.

The House also wants “operational control” over policemen assigned at the House of Representatives, he added.           

Golez said the new security contingent, comprised of Special Action Force commandos might not be the appropriate unit for “VIP and perimeter protection.”

“SAF members are trained for assault and combat,” he said.

“We do not want men in combat fatigues and with high-powered rifles manning our gates. We want them to be as low-profile as possible.”

The relieved security detail came from the Police Security and Protection Office, who acts as bodyguards of VIPs.

Razon has announced that they considered the Batasan blast “solved” but not “closed” after a police-Army team shot dead three suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists and arrested three others during a raid on a house at Violago Village in Payatas, Quezon City.

Salapuddin not involved – Ermita

 Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita expressed doubts yesterday that Salapuddin was behind the bombing at the House of Representatives last week.

“He’s (Salapuddin) a very honorable person… (he) is the one who is really a success story of our rebel returnee program,” he told reporters at the Centennial Terminal after sending off President Arroyo to Singapore to attend the ASEAN summit.

Ermita said he met with Salappudin before he went to the PNP to clear his name, and that the former lawmaker did not seek assistance from him.

“I was happy when I heard he was going to present himself because he did not want any cloud (of doubt) whatsoever about whether he has something to hide or not that’s why he said he presented himself,” he said.

Razon said Salapuddin is not considered a suspect since there was no evidence linking him to the bomb attack.

He was instrumental in effecting the surrender of Salapuddin, a former commander of the Moro National Liberation Front, along with hundreds of followers in April 1984. he added.

Ermita, a former lawmaker, said Salapuddin, who was chairman of the MNLF’s Basilan Revolutionary Committee, eventually became a three-term governor of Basilan and deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.

Shortly after surrendering Salapuddin was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos as member of the regional legislative assembly in Mindanao, he added.

Ermita said Salapuddin continued his studies at the Basilan State College, and later obtained a master’s degree from the Western Mindanao State University.

Salapuddin asked Marcos to allow his followers to finish school, he added. — with Cecille Suerte Felipe, Jess Diaz, Paolo Romero