Loren condemns spate of bombings

Senator Loren Legarda condemned yesterday the spate of bombings that had rocked parts of Mindanao, as well as the bomb threats that had been made, saying that no motivation whether political or ideological can justify attacks on civilians and public places.

The senator called on the government to immediately arrest those behind the bombings and to work so that future attacks may be foiled by lawful authorities. Otherwise, she said government will be seen as being derelict in its duty to protect the people.

"Instead of brushing aside speculations that government may have something to do with them, the administration must do its duty to - number one, stop future attacks through diligent intelligence work by the police and military; and, number two, by bringing before the bar of justice those responsible for the attacks that had already been committed," said Loren.

"The blame game on who are behind the bombings must stop," she stressed.

Loren said that government must not wait for more people to get killed or injured before acting.

"The attacks," she said, "must cease, no matter what the motivations may be behind them."

The senator said that if bombings had been carried out by some misguided elements in the government, then the administration must realize that the people can easily see through their ploy to foment destabilization.

"The people can see through it as part of a destabilization move as a precursor to declaring a state of emergency or martial rule. They must not take Filipinos as naïve because, in fact, our countrymen have become too jaded politically from our rich historical experiences."

Meanwhile, Loren urged the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front to put an end to the Mindanao conflict by going back to the negotiating table so the thousands of displaced people can return to their homes and live a normal life.

The Cotabato blast near a church left five persons dead and 45 injured. Most of thoese injured were students attending mass. The Jolo bombing yesterday resulted into the death of two persons and 24 were injured.

The twin bombings worsened the situation in the South where hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced by the incessant wars between the separatist MILF and its rogue elements and the government forces.

The number of those displaced in Mindanao as a result of the gun battle has reportedly gone beyond half a million, that an independent humanitarian organization - the Norweigan Refugee Council, considered this displacement due to war the largest ever since last year.

"What's alarming is that these refugees have to deal not only with the bullets and mortars, but also hunger and diseases," she said.

A total 52 journalists tried to look at the situation of the refugees at Guindolongan, Maguindanao last Sunday, but were prevented by the authorities.