MANILA – A Metro Manila lower court has ordered the arrest of a former senior lawmaker for the 2007 bombing of the House of Representatives, that resulted in the killing of six people, including a Mindanao congressman.
A radio report from GMA News said the order was issued by the Regional Trial Court of suburban Quezon City, Metro Manila for the arrest of Gerry Salapuddin, the former deputy House speaker for Mindanao.
No bail was recommended for Salapuddin’s temporary liberty, the report added.
Salapuddin, a former congressman from the island province of Basilan in Mindanao, was accused by the police, along with several others, of alleged involvement in the November 13, 2007 bombing of the House that led to the killing of six people, including then congressman Wahib Akbar also of Basilan.
Also wounded in the attack were several House members, led by former congressman Henry Pryde Teves of Iligan City in Mindanao.
Salapuddin vehemently denied the charge of multiple murder and even asked the Supreme Court to review the case.
But Quezon City police investigators stood their ground, saying they have enough evidence to pin down Salapuddin.
Police added that, based on their investigation, the bombing was politically-motivated with Akbar as the main target.
A series of powerful explosions rocked the sprawling “Batasang Pambansa” (National Assembly) compound in Quezon City on the night of November 13, 2007 following the adjournment of the House session.
Police said the suspects timed the explosion as the lawmakers and their employees were inside the lounge to wait for their drivers to fetch them.
One of the bombs exploded near Akbar as he was about to board his car, according to the police.
The badly wounded Akbar was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital where he died while undergoing emergency surgery, police added.
The bombing resulted in the implementation of tight security measures in the House and in the Senate, which are in effect until today, police also said.
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