KOKO: GET THE CRIMINALS BEHIND CDO CARNAGE

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, PDP Laban President, today condemned the bombing at a restaurant in Cagayan de Oro City that killed eight people and injured 48 others on Friday night.

In a privilege speech, Pimentel, who hails form Cagayan de Oro, urged authorities to launch an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators.

Pimentel said the "the hooligans responsible for the crime must not be allowed to get away with the horrible deed they have perpetrated on their innocent victims."

The lawmaker pointed out that "the mastermind must likewise be identified, prosecuted and penalized - not years after the fact - but now, immediately if not sooner."

He warned that "the mastermind would be tempted to do it all over again because, then, he would have enjoyed some kind of impunity that violators of the law are not entitled to."

Pimentel, chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice, said he expected police authorities in Cagayan de Oro "to do their thing with dispatch, and prove that they deserve the support and respect of the people."

"The Cagayan de Oro police must demonstrate that they have the guts, the determination, the will and the skill to do their job. And, thereby, restore the superiority of law and order over criminality and disorder in our beloved city."

Pimentel emphasized that "the people expect and they deserve no less than a fast and expeditious delivery of justice here."

"We must do all that needs to be done to bring justice to all concerned, and above all, restore the reputation of the City as a haven of peace and security for our residents and visitors," he said.