Bomb blasts hit MM; LTA building, Puno’s house attacked

Unknown gunmen opened fire on a building owned by First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo’s family in Makati City before dawn yesterday while a bomb exploded underneath a vehicle owned by Antipolo City Rep. Ronaldo Puno in Quezon City later in the afternoon.

Two more bombing incidents were reported in Parañaque and Caloocan City yesterday.

Police have yet to identify any suspects behind the Makati attack but a shadowy group calling itself "Enlightened Warriors" claimed responsibility for the shooting at the Lourdes Tuason-Arroyo (LTA) Building on Perea street in Legaspi Village where the President’s husband holds office.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD), on the other hand, said it is still investigating who might be behind the bombing of the Antipolo congressman’s Mercedes-Benz van that was parked in front of his Green Meadow Subdivision residence shortly before noon yesterday.

No one was reported hurt in the two incidents.

Police said the LTA building in the financial district of Makati was raked with bullets, shattering windows and damaging the building’s facade.

Initial investigation showed the gunmen used automatic rifles.

Witnesses claimed they saw a blue Toyota car parking in front of the building before one of its occupants alighted and shot the first and second floor windows with an automatic weapon.

The gunman was described as about 5’7" in height, sporting a military haircut and wearing a black jacket.

The gunman rushed back to join his two waiting companions in the car that fled toward Paseo de Roxas.

An e-mail sent by a certain "Gertrude Smyth" said the attack was carried out by "a group of good men of the Armed Forces."

In the e-mailed statement titled "A Declaration by Enlightened Warriors," the group claimed the attack "symbolizes the widespread frustration and anger among AFP soldiery against the illegitimate and corrupt administration of Gloria Arroyo."

"We are against the illegitimate, cheating and thieving presidency of Gloria Arroyo," the group said.

"We will no longer be mute witnesses and accomplices, witting or unwitting, to the grand theft of the people’s will and the people’s wealth."

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao ordered an investigation of the Makati attack.

He said investigators are looking at all possible angles, including anti-government forces behind the attack.

Lomibao said the attack might have been carried out by critics of the First Gentleman, considering his active role in the recently concluded 23rd Southeast Asian Games.

In the past, communist guerrillas had fired grenades and bullets at the LTA office buildings in attacks believed to be linked to oil companies based there.

Mr. Arroyo, on the other hand, holds office in the same five-story building as a lawyer and businessman.

Critics charge that Mr. Arroyo uses his office in the LTA building to conduct business related to government work.

Earlier this year, amid charges that she cheated to win the May, 2004 election, President Arroyo tried to appease her critics by sending her husband on an extended exile abroad.

On the other hand, the "Enlightened Warriors" claimed they have been targeting "The Firm," referring to the Villaraza Angangco law office that holds office in the same building.

The group described "The Firm" as the "corporate and corruption headquarters of the Arroyos" and "the real seat of power in the Philippines right now."

"It is here (in this building) where the biggest unscrupulous covert deals are made among those in power against the interests of the great majority of people," the group said.

"It is here where money flows — the people’s money transacted as private funds. It is here where every rotten politician and sleazy operator in secret league with the official center in Malacañang lines up to get their share of the spoils," the e-mail added.

The group added it will openly break away from the chain of command at the proper time.

"We will submit to a new government of genuine reforms supported by the people," the statement said. "We are determined to see genuine reforms for the future of our nation."

Alert

Two more bombing incidents occurred yesterday in Parañaque and Caloocan City, prompting National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Vidal Querol to place all police forces in Metro Manila on full alert.

The Parañaque City police led by Superintendent Ronald Estilles said an improvised bomb laden with "compressed black powder" went off, damaging a Honda CRV van owned by Manuel de la Cerna.

Estilles said the explosion occurred shortly after two men riding on a motorcycle placed the bomb underneath the vehicle parked along A. Bonifacio street in Barangay San Dionisio.

Investigators said their initial probe showed the bombing was carried out by disgruntled workers laid off by De la Cerna from his printing press.

The Caloocan City police, on the other hand, said a Toyota Prado SUV owned by businessman Jonathan Lim was damaged by a homemade bomb triggered from a cell phone.

The vehicle was parked in front of Ernest Printing Corp. along M. H. del Pilar on 3rd Avenue when a bomb exploded underneath, destroying its left tire.

Another e-mail was sent by a certain "Miguel Alonzo" claiming the four incidents are just "warning blows."

Alonzo made the e-mail in behalf of the group "Enlightened Warriors" that owned up to the strafing of the LTA building.

"We have struck the warning blows. Beware the liars, the cheaters and the thieves for we are watching their every move. We demand from them immediate confession and restitution," Alonzo said.

The group said they are targeting Mr. Arroyo and his "LTA gang."

"Without a doubt, Mike Arroyo and his LTA gang, (Antipolo Rep.) Ronaldo Puno, Roque Bello, Ernest Printing Press in Caloocan and Rounce Printing Press in Parañaque are among those who played key roles in perpetrating this crime against the nation," the group said.

"Many others remain, and with our actions they are all now being notified to submit to justice," the group said.

The attacks came on the same day that former Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Virgilio Garcillano appeared before a joint congressional inquiry on the wiretap controversy.

The group said they had waited for the truth to be revealed after the surfacing of the alleged wiretap recordings last June, linking Mrs. Arroyo and Garcillano to vote-rigging.

As this developed, Querol ordered all police district directors and personnel to intensify mobile, motorcycle and special weapons and tactics patrols in Metro Manila.

The Presidential Security Group led by Brig. Gen. Delfin Bangit also beefed up security for the First Family following the LTA building attack.

Bangit said they are still waiting for the result of the investigation on the strafing, adding the attack can be considered a serious threat against the First Family.

Mr. Arroyo, for his part, brushed aside the attack saying he would not be cowed by anyone carrying out threats on his life and family.

"I’m not afraid of these people. They are just plain evil people who have nothing better to do," the First Gentleman said.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said, while it is nearly impossible to anticipate the actions of some groups threatening the security of the First Family, the PSG has increased its security detail.

He claimed there is no "specific information" of a group threatening President Arroyo and her family.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), on the other hand, denied any knowledge about the shadowy group that owned up the attacks. — With Perseus Echeminada, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Non Alquitran, Jaime Laude, Paolo Romero, Rhodina Villanueva, Pete Laude, Jerry Botial, AFP