Rep. Liza Maza | Leftist Solons Could Have Been Bombing Targets

The bombing at the House of Representatives also happened at a time
when the Arroyo administration is pushing for amendments of the Human
Security Act to give more teeth to it.

Mr. Speaker, the message here is also clear, whoever, did this wants
to intimidate us so that we will be forced to amend the Human Security
Act and make it more terroristic. If this is their way to show that
indeed we should amend this because even the House is already being
targeted, all the more that we should be vigilant to stand against
their evil designs.

Mr. Speaker, my dear colleagues, Gabriela Women’s Party holds the
Arroyo government responsible for all the bombings that happened in
the country- at the House of Representatives, in Glorietta , in
Cavite, in Basilan. Mrs. Arroyo continues to coddle a national
security adviser who does not provide security to the state but
insecurity to the people. Under his reign a number of bombings have
already occurred, extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances
are increasing. Under National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales
and President Arroyo and their cohorts in the military, the people and
the country will never taste genuine peace and security. In fact we
see a trend in these series of bombings. They want to condition the
mind of the people, that the bombings could warrant the declaration
of an emergency rule or martial law or more repressive measures.

Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, let us not allow that the
investigation of the bombing in the House of Representatives, would
become another Glorietta where up to now there is no clear findings as
to the cause of the blast. Let us pursue an independent and thorough
investigation. The Gabriela Women’s Party would like that this
investigation disprove that Rep. Luz Ilagan or any member of Gabriela
Women’s Party, is not the target of this attack, that this bombing
incident is not connected to any political scandals that the Arroyo
government is apparently involved in. The Gabriela Women’s Party
shall actively participate in this independent investigation. Let us
bring the perpetrators to justice.

As we call for an independent investigation, we issue this warning to
those who seek to curtail the people’s rights, intimidate and incite
fear among us, you will never succeed. You will never succeed in
silencing the voice of the people. They will continue to raise the
issues of the people. Amid the impending increase in the prices of
oil, the new impeachment complaint against the Arroyo regime, the
fight for a genuine agrarian reform program, the fight against extra
judicial killings, no violence will ever make them cower in fear.

At this point, Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, the Gabriela Women’s
Party would like to express our deepest sympathy to the families of
those who died in the Congress blast and we offer our fervent prayer
for the speedy recovery of Representatives Teves and Ilagan and all
those injured. Again we reiterate our calls for the justice and vigilance.

Thank you Mr. Speaker, Distinguished colleagues.