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Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Basilan congressman killed in Batasan blast
MANILA -- (Updated 11 p.m.) Representative Wahab Akbar of Basilan province was killed in the blast that hit the south wing of the Batasang Pambansa building at 8 p.m. Tuesday, his chief of staff said.
Ben Hassan, Akbar's chief of staff, confirmed late Tuesday night that Akbar died while undergoing treatment at Far Eastern University hospital.
Akbar's body will be flown to Basilan Wednesday morning.
Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said he grieves for the "loss of a friend and a leader."
"A life taken by an act of madness must be condemned and I hope it will wake up some people to come together against people who don't go for normal procedure. It's an act of terrorism," he added.
Earlier reports said Akbar was talking on his mobile phone and was at the last step of the stairs of the south wing entrance when the blast occurred.
One other person, the driver of Representative Luz Ilagan of the party-list group Gabriela, was also killed in the explosion.
Two other legislators--Rep. Henry Teves of Negros Oriental and Ilagan--and several others were injured.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered National Police Chief Avelino Razon Jr. to supervise the investigation and determine the cause of the explosion, said Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye.
Razon was asked to also submit periodic updates to Arroyo. (Sunnex) |
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