Blast rocks Batasan complex; 1 dead, 3 solons among hurt

source : GMANews.tv

Tuesday, 13 November 2007 05:46

A loud explosion occurred at the south wing lobby of the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City, radio dzBB reported Tuesday. The report said at least one died and several others were hurt in the incident, including at least three House lawmakers.

DzBB quoting information from National Capital Region Police Office chief Geary Barrias said one Marcial Talvo, the driver of Gabriela party-list Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan died in the blast.

The report also said Rep. Negros Oriental Rep. Pryde Henry Teves, Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar and Ilagan were hurt in the incident, along with four others. Teves and his two other staff members were brought to the New Era General Hospital. The report said the three sustained injuries to their faces, hands and feet. Meanwhile, Akbar was rushed to the Far Eastern University Hospital.

The gate at the Batasan complex was immediately closed to the public after the explosion. Firemen have arrived about 8:20 p.m. Authorities from the Quezon City Police Station 6 also arrived and cordoned off the area from the public.

About 9:30 p.m., President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo promptly ordered National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon to personally supervise the investigation on the incident, according to a text message from Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye.

President Arroyo said Razon should "submit periodic reports as warranted."

Loud explosion

Rep. Joel Villanueva of the Citizen's Battle Against Corruption told dzBB that he was at the south lobby when he heard a "very loud explosion" at the premises of House of Representatives. He said he saw at least four hurt, who were brought to the clinic inside the building.

Villanueva said he heard the explosion minutes after a House session ended. Witnesses said they saw a Toyota Lite Ace van and another one or two vehicles burning. Another lawmaker interviewed by dzBB said the explosion came from a flower box near the steps in the south wing lobby going to the basement.

Another dzBB report about 8:30 p.m., said Rep. Ilagan and her driver were hurt in the blast, and were rushed to Malvar Hospital along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. The report said the information came from the public information officer of Gabriela.

Noel Albano, House deputy secretary general for Public Relations and Information, in an interview with dzBB said the explosion came from the ceiling of the south wing. He said the ceiling was partly destroyed.

Another dzBB report about 8:55 p.m., said police officials led by Barrias could not yet determine the kind of device that exploded in the area. The report said Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr arrived in the area and was seen talking to authorities. - GMANews.TV

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