Quisumbing wants review on bomb threat protocol

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu sixth district Rep. Gabriel Luis Quisumbing has called for a congressional inquiry on police and other security agency’s readiness to handle bomb threats and other criminal acts.

Quisumbing filed House Resolution 2101 urging the House Committee on Public Order and Safety and other appropriate committees to invite officials of the Philippine National Police and other security agencies that deal with terrorist threats to appear before the members of the committee.

“Past incidents of bombings and attacks have an adverse impact on the national economy and the stability of our institutions. We need to institute appropriate measures to help bring back the people’s confidence in our law enforcement agencies,” Quisumbing said.

Quisumbing cited the Constitutional mandate which provides “the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.”

He cited several bombing incidents and bomb threats. Among these incidents was the September 26, 2010 bombing along Taft Avenue near De La Salle University Manila wherein 47 people were injured.

An 81mm-mortar shell also ripped apart a Newman Gold Liner bus along EDSA’s northbound lane, near the Metro Rail Transit’s Gil Puyat station, leaving four people dead and 14 hurt in January 2011.

In January 25, 2012, various news sources reported that four people died and eight others were wounded after a vintage bomb being dismantled by cops suddenly exploded in Taguig City.

Quisumbing said there is a need for the PNP and other concerned agencies to review its bomb threat procedures and protocols to effectively deal and even prevent any critical incident. — (FREEMAN)