MAKATI CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 19, 2007) – At least 3 foreigners were among more than 100 people injured in a powerful blast Friday that ripped through a shopping mall in Makati City, the Philippines’ financial district, police said.
Police said the two Koreans and a Chinese national were wounded in the suspected bombing of the Glorieta Mall at around 1.30 p.m.Geary Barias, metropolitan police chief, said 8 people were killed and 129 others injured in the blast.
Political activists were blaming the Arroyo government for the blast, saying, state agents could be behind the explosion to divert public attention away from the President.
President Gloria arroyo was accused of bribing lawmakers and provincial governors during a breakfast meeting this week at the Presidential Palace in Manila.
The militant women’s group called “Gabriela” has condemned the bombing and at the same time expressed fear that Arroyo could use the incident to declare a state of emergency and crackdown on the opposition.
“We at GABRIELA Women's Party express our condemnation for the Glorieta bombing as we likewise send our heartfelt sympathy and condolences for the victims and their families.”
”We also express our alarm and suspicion over the impeccable timing of the incident in the light of snowballing calls for Mrs. Arroyo to resign. We call on the public for utmost vigilance, as there may be no stopping the Arroyo regime from using this unfortunate incident to declare a state of emergency and crackdown on the opposition,” it said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
The group also called for a speedy and impartial investigation of the incident to help ensure that justice is immediately served.But Arroyo, in a televised address, also warned those who would try to destabilize the government.
“I warn those who seek to destabilize our government not to exploit this incident for their selfish political motives. This is the time for all of us to unite. We urge all sectors to remain vigilant as the government steps up security measures to protect our people,” she said.
Arroyo said there is an ongoing investigation into the blast and appealed to citizens to stay vigilant.
“We assure everyone that a full blown investigation is now underway. The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are on highest alert and are fielding an additional 2,000 personnel to secure our public places and to prevent a possible similar occurrence,” she said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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