THE leadership of the House of Representatives yesterday placed the Batasang Pambasa Complex in Quezon City on heightened alert after some lawmakers received bomb threats.
Secretary General Reginald Velasco declined to name who among the lawmakers received the threats but said it is best to take the warning seriously to protect everyone, including visitors and members of the media.
“Basta sinasabi lang na baka bombahin itong House of Representatives (The threats just said the House of Representatives might be bombed). But as I’ve said, we take all these threats seriously. Kaya (That’s why) we have taken special precaution ngayon (now),” he told reporters shortly before noon. “I cannot reveal the names of those who have received threats, but some (House) members have received threats.”
Velasco, however, clarified that Speaker Martin Romualdez was not among those who receive the bomb threats.
Velasco said that while no memo had yet been issued, he ordered House Sergeant-at-Arms Napoleon Taas to impose more stringent measures, including subjecting all those who are entering the Batasan complex, seat of the House of Representatives, to stricter security checks.
He said motorcycle deliveries are now prohibited inside the Batasan Complex after it was reported to him that some riders were seen suspiciously roaming the premises.
“We have witnessed some motorcycles going around. The security guards reported to me.
That’s why we prohibited motorcycles from being parked in front of any building,” Velasco said in mixed English and Filipino.
“So we have designated a special parking area for motorcycles. And then for those deliveries, we have instructed our security that delivery men should stay at the gate. And then the goods or supplies will just be picked up by the representatives of the members or employees,” he added.
On Nov. 13, 2007, a bomb exploded at the South Wing Lobby of the Batasang Pambansa, killing then Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar who was believed to be the target of an assassination plan and wounded Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan (PL, Gabriela) and then Negros Oriental Rep. Pryde Henry Teves.
The others who were also killed in the blast were Akbar’s staff member Julasiri Hayudini; Marcial Taldo, a driver of Ilagan; Dennis Manila and Maan Gale Bustalino, staff members of Teves. Another staff member of Teves, Vercita Garcia, died the following month due to multiple blast injuries.
