There but for the grace of God, go we, must be the thought in many a person’s mind. David Llorito definitely had that passing, sobering, thought. jackson_nash recounts a mother’s concern and relief:
As soon as I get home I call my mom. She told me how she freaked out and how it gave her a headache. Her tone of voice was sounded so defeated yet relieved. It made me feel sad but it also reinforced that even though my mom doesn’t say it, she does really love me. I mean I didn’t doubt it, but it’s the little things we do for each other that shows how much we care.
Blogger ambonsamakati blogs about being in the vicinity (complete with snapshot of crowds); Adventures in the Temporary Autonomous Zone blogs about sirens and watching the action from a few blocks away. magentic_rose blogs about how her brother had a close call. Sunny Side Up! was there. So was uchihayukiko:
I was in bo’s cafe, teh exact opposite o f where the bo,b was placed. But it felt like the explosion was just above us. It was tha strong. It was my second grande cup of coffee that day.I drank my first at home, because I thought I have to be alert this day.
If I decided to drink coffee in starbcujs that day. I will be dea now.
If I wore skirt ad heels this day, I wouldn’t be able to run fast.
My intuition never failed me. Never since I was alive. And I am thanking god for it.I sent sms to people in my phone list. And called KR, because I know glorietta is his home too. And he is always in timezone, where I think the bomb was near.
I do not want to listen to the news now. What I saw was enough. Ambuklances everywhere, people lying in the streets near the ambulance, a man’s limp hands…limp and carried by someone from the ambulance.
White Lady recounts a friend’s experiences:
Miru was in netopia glorietta 2 printing something and after that,only 10 minutes after while walking in glorietta 4(in front of jollibee) he felt the impact of the explosion.It’s like something pushed him daw from the back and he saw the glass walls of jollibee shook. He was able to video pa the people screaming and running inside the mall to the nearest exit and outside he took pics of the damages.He even saw a dead body daw.
My Life… – Hayds also recounts her experiences:
Around 1:30pm we were saying that we need to give away all of our fliers before the next group comes in. Then I distinctly remember I was seating on the couch facing the Glorietta 2 side when I heard a big boom. Together with the big boom was an earth shattering like earthquake. Then in just a couple of seconds, I saw something fell from the ceiling. It was a big chunk but it looked like it didn’t weigh much. Then everybody started running as fast as they could towards our direction. I didn’t panic since as some of you might know, I was also in Glorietta during the Valentine’s Day bombing last February 14, 2005…
But today was different. I heard the explosion and I saw something that triggered why everybody started to panic. Everything I saw was not close enough for me to realize the urgency to get the heck out of the mall. I started to pack my things calmly and I was again trying to look for more details why the people were trying to get out of the mall but Jacy was really scared that she kept on calling for us and was in a hurry. We got out of Glorietta and went straight to Park Square 1. While everybody was outside and trying to figure out what happened, everybody just started running away again. This time we stayed at the Dusit Hotel. For about an hour of calling people we know, we just wanted to go home but Didith and Jacy were kind enough to make sure I’ve gotten my car in the parking lot of Glorietta 4 before we went our seperate ways. Unfortunately, nobody was allowed to go inside the mall nor the parking. We had to seat together with the hundreds of people around the area while the fire brigade, ambulance and media people were trying to check on what happened.
The most complete eyewitness acount I’ve come across is from angeliz105 in an online message group:
I have never expected myself to be an eyewitness to such a tragedy. Man staring blankly at his bloodied hand, women hysterically screaming, unconscious woman lying lifeless near the blast, frantic sirens and alarms, broken glass and debris everywhere…
I had just parked my car at Park Square 2, 3rd floor near the timezone entrance. After switched on my car’s alarm, exactly, a loud explosion was heard. A cloud of smoke was seen. I ran at the back of my car where the railings are and there it was, I am directly looking at it from where I stand.
My knees turned jelly and felt my whole body shaking. My brain felt numb. I can’t believe, that a few moments ago, barely 5 minutes have passed, I was there at the ground floor on my way to the parking lot.
I never noticed I was crying until two elderly chinese couple approached me and asked if I am okay. I was just telling them, ” No, look out there, there’s a dead woman…” I was ushered by the elderly man to sit on the hood of one of parked cars. I didn’t know how long I stayed there, coz the next moment, I am maneuvering my car out of the parking lot.
I called my brother, I was crying. I have no idea how I was able to drove out of that place and eventually got home when all the while I could see are the images of the tragedy. To stay calm is easier said than done.
I still don’t know whatever it was that exploded, all I know is, those images will haunt my memories like a movie, playing repeatedly… even in my dreams.
See websaytko.com who republishes a father’s account.
Blogger Sprclfrglstcxpialidotius! (who also has pictures) says gossip saved her:
While we were on our way back (from the hardware shop in Park Square), we noticed there was a crowd gathering outside Glorietta. We initially thought there was an on-going shoot or perhaps some actor/actress was around. We heard some people talking about a bomb going off in the center, near the fountain. Another man said it was on the second floor – the Subway resto…
But then some people were still entering Glorietta, and when we were about to cross the street to get in, a wave of screaming people suddenly came rushing out of the doors. This sent everyone else in a panic, and the crowd started running away as fast as they could.
I thought someone had a gun or something because some people had their hands over their heads. Kristel and I held hands and ran with the crowd… and then it happened.
Y’know those chase scenes in movies? When someone always has to fall right when they’re NOT supposed to? Yea, someone fell alright… I did! It’s quite hard to run for your life while in platform flip-flops!
I’m really grateful Kristel didn’t just let go of my hand and run…that’s a real friend for ya. She made sure people didn’t step on me 😀 Love yah, sis!
I must say, I’ve never felt so alive though. I could feel my heart threatening to explode through my chest, and my leg muscles trying to leap out of my skin as Kristel and I sprinted our way through the crowd.
just walk away was also there:
anyways tapos punta kami sa mei meeting place wala pang bus..so punta kaming gold crest..ayan na!nasa store kami tapos biglang mei narinig kaming malakas na sabog!tas mei nabasag!as in na feel namen ung lakas ng sabog!ung glass ng store parang mababasag!bumaba kami nina mariel para mag take cover tapos dapat lalabas na sila mariel at dzi sabi ko huwag muna kasi baka may sumabog pa..tapos ung tindera kinuha ang bag at nauna pa lumabas samin..so lumabas narin kami..ang scary kasi ang gulo na ng place ang daming tao na nag panic tas hinanap namen ung bus..kahit Wat a face na kami haha..
sa bus umiiyak na sila mariel and dzi ako..shock.di ako maiiyaK!as in wala lang di pa nag sink in sakin ung nangyari!tsaka naluluha ako kasi umiiyak sila mariel naawa ako..nung kinausap na lang kami sa bus dun na ako naiyak.tapos humagulgo ako nung naghug kami nina mar,dzi tsaka tita baby..grabe!nanghina ung knees ko ..grabe talaga!tas sa chapel..xbrang thankful ako kasi binigyan pa ako ng chance na maglaro pa tomorrow sa championship!haAy sobrang naapreciate ko adviser ko…tsaka narealize ko kung bumasag ung glass sa likod namen..cguro..hmmm..haAY..grabe talaga!2nd life?di ko toh makakalimutan!
(Loose translation: Anways afterwards we went to the vicinity of our meeting place but the bus hadn’t arrived. So we went to Goldcrest. Then it happened! We were in a store when suddenly we hard a strong explosion! Then something shattered! As in we felt the strength of the explosion! It seemed as if the glass of the store was going to shatter! Mariel and I descended to take cover and then Mariel intended to exit and I said, not yet because there might be another explosion. And then the saleslady took her bag and left the store even ahead of us. So we left as well. It was very scary because there was so much confusion and so many people panicked and we we looked for the bus, never mind however we must have looked haha… On the bus Mariel wept and I got dizzy. I was in such shock I couldn’t cry. Then I started tearing because Mariel was crying and I felt pity for her. When we were talked to on the bus that’s when I started to cry. Then I was overcome when Mar and I hugged, and Tita Baby too. It was terrible, my knees got weak. At the chapel I was so very thankful that I was given a chance to still play in tomorrow’s championship. And I really appreciate my adviser. And I also realized that if the glass had shattered behind us, well, probably, hmmm… A 2nd life? I won’t forget this!)
…My Life… has a smiliar account.
Another account is In My Pocket, this time, of someone who got there an hour after the explosion:
As I walked down Ayala Avenue and crossed toward the Makati Stock Exchange, I was walking with a group of people that included a young couple and their daughter. The father was carrying the little girl and the couple tried their best to be calm around her. Then, as we reached the Stock Exchange, the father passed their daughter into the mother’s arms as he walked inside a bank. The little girl asked the mother something, to which she replied, “E diba may sumabog sa Glorietta? Hindi ba katabi natin yun? (Didn’t something explode in Glorietta? Weren’t we standing next to it?)” I took a closer look at them. They were carrying hardly anything, and the daughter was sock-footed and holding her sole shoe in her hand.
I had arrived at SM some time around 2:20pm. An MMDA truck and the ever-vigilant media (represented by ABS-CBN News) already were parked out front. The SOCO van arrived just as I was walking away from the scene, continuing on my way. They — and I — had only missed the explosion by an hour.
See Witnesses account: ‘People thrown like dolls by blast’ for more eyewitness accounts.
Disney Cute Land has pictures of the area and the damage (Interior photos from ABS-CBN reproduced in look at this tangle of thorns). Azrael’s Merryland also has exterior photos. a round world for a square me has a photo of the interior of Glorietta filled with smoke. Horrible, horrible. However, Don Geronimo has calmer photos and criticizes media for portraying the situation is worse than it is.
And because the political situation is tense, notes from the peanut gallery expresses a suspicion that can only gather steam unless the authorities make an effort to remain sober and calm. For now, ksolaris points out one reason a gas explosion is the main theory right now:
They’re still investigating the cause, and I’m wondering if it’s a busted LPG tank, since I do remember that some time earlier this year, one of the restaurants inside the mall caught fire. They were able to quickly put out the flames that time, though, and only part of the restaurant’s ceiling got burned. The restaurant was back in business after about a week.
A spokesman from Ayala Land says it doesn’t appear the explosion emanated from any restaurants. A shaky-sounding policeman says there was a strong smell of gunpowder in the blast area, and says there was no smell of gas. Blogger bubble hearth has an eyewitness insisting he smelled gunpowder, too, “just like New Year”:
although ben insists he smelled pulbura when he went near the smoke. “para daw new year”
Tony Velasquez pointed out that the initial smells are important in investigating the cause of blasts. The NCR police chief has announced Metro Manila is on red alert.
(A blogger, Public Static, doesn’t want to dismiss the LPG explosion theory and explains why, but then says, basically, the reasoning all b.s.)
This is a time when engineers, architects, and other experts can help weigh in and contribute to a sober analysis of the event. The photographs of the damage are so chilling (see link above), and the damage so extensive, that unless the experts weigh in, public hysteria could run rampant.
Online media sites are constantly updating. As of this posting, the news is: 4 dead, over 40 hurt in Makati mall explosion (ABS-CBN); Blast hits Makati’s Glorietta Mall: 3 killed, says report (Inquirer); Makati mall blast kills 3; top cop says not LPG but ‘a bomb’(GMA).
On TV, a spokesman from the National Disaster Coordinating Council, quoting the Red Cross, says the number of fatalities has reached 6, with 70 wounded. Latest update is that police suspicions have shifted to a bomb being the cause of the explosion: ‘Bomb likely’ in Makati mall blast–Razon.
The PNP spokesman on ANC (4:12 pm) says they have to consider if this was a bombing by Muslim extremists. Said NICA reports and other intel had warned of activity after Ramadan ended.
Personally, at this point, finger-pointing won’t help anything. The priority right now remains aiding the wounded and securing the area. Then an investigation can proceed and the public can judge if the investigation raises instead of settling questions. There are simply too many groups that could benefit, politically, from a terror bombing. Finding out what kind of bombing took place, could help narrow down the potential culprits.
4:58 pm Ayala Land has issued a statement saying the blast seems to have originated from outside, not inside, Glorietta 2. Bertie Lim of Makati Business Club dispels text message which quotes him as having blamed the Palace; he says he never said such a thing and that businessmen believe the President needs to get to the bottom of things.
5:31 A blogger who works at an emergency room, gives an eyewitness account of what it was like to be working as the casualties were brought in, See zalveen-ice’s Site:
I was eating lunch when nag aanounce na for the trauma team sa ER. Last time I heard this was nung nag bomb sa MRT nung valentines 3 years ago ata. So I thought baka may vehicular accident na massive. I was wrong…. Sobrang dami tao sa ER blast injuries. Initial reports sabi may LPG leak daw sa Luk Yuen at sumabog yun. Well tha’ts pure speculation. In my humble opinion di ito gas leak masyado madami nasaktan at napakalaki ng area nung blast. Bomb to sa palagay ko. Well during y stay sa ER dami shrapnel injuries yun mga debris ng cement acted like shrapnels nung sumabog. Kawawa innocent people. May dead on arrival, meron din namatay sa harapan ko wasak yun ribs. For a while it gave me goosebumps. I know sanay ako makakita ng dugo sa mga accidents pero iba.
(loose translation: I was eating lunch when the announcement came for the trauma team to go to the emergency room. Last time I heard this was when the MRT was bombed on Valentine’s Day three years go, I think. So I thought there might’ve been a massive vehicular accident. I was wrong… Too many people in the emergency room with blast injuries. Initial reports said there was an LPG leak at Luk Yuen and that it caused the explosion. Well, that’s pure speculation. In my humble opinion it wasn’t a gas leak, too many people were hurt and the area of the blast was too large. It was a bomb, I think. Well during my stay at the emergency room, very many shrapnel injuries the debris from the cement acted like shrapnel when the explosion took place. Poor innocent people. There was someone dead on arrival, there was someone who died in front of me with shattered ribs. For a while it gave me goosebumps. I know I’m used to seeing blood in accident victims but this was different.)
The blogger then concludes.
I couldn’t take pictures kawawa talga and unethical din pero kung nakita nyo magagalit talaga kayo dun sa gumawa.
(loose translation: I couldn’t take pictures, I really pity them and it’s unethical but if you saw what I saw, you would be furious at the perpetrators).
More later.
5:54 pm A very angry Sec. Norberto Gonzalez said that if the bombing wasn’t accompanied by demands, it can’t be covered by the Human Security Act. Gonzalez very irritated over comments criticizing the Palace. Says the event does not justify emergency powers for the President.
6:04 pm Maria Ressa says the timing of the blast is within the “bombing season.” Last year was the only year JI hadn’t conducted a bombing within this season. The blast is strong she said, the radius is large, the strongest probably that’s taken place in the country, she says. No burn marks either, if you look at interior damage photos, so this indicates expertise and training, and there are only two umbrella groups with this capacity: JI and law enforcement agencies. It’s interesting she says, in this context, plus recent Australia warning and PNP warnings of Mindanao. She says she’s seen JI plots to bomb Glorietta but they were made in 2002-2003. She says people have to wait for the investigation and that what she’s discussing is putting the blast in the perspective of past events. This is blast impact, “pure wave,” she says. She says sources say it was a bomb, and that C-4 explosive was involved.
7:54 pm Per TV news report, Red Cross says there may still be bodies buried in the rubble. Number of casualties (dead and wounded) has passed the 100 person mark.
8:01 pm The President, dressed soberly in black, addresses the nation. Says it is likely it was a bomb. Issues warning against using the bombing for political motivates. Appeals for country to unite. Asks public to cooperate in increased security measures. Keep abreast of breaking news at Glorietta Blast special section of Inquirer.net.
tonyo links to raw video from an eyewitness.
here’s the link btw.
Estrada is gambling with lives for Power
By Dona Pazzibugan and Andrea Trinidad-Echavez
Inquirer News Service
http://www.inquirer.net/issues/jan2001/jan01/frontpage/front_2.htm
Prayers to those who are killed and wounded.
Anathema to those cowards who take innocent lives just to further their political agenda.
Interactive map of Glorietta, from Inquirer.net:
http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/gloriettablast/multimedia.php
“They alleged that I was the mastermind. It’s illogical, I should be the one who will secure our people,†Mr Esperon said.â€Â
What a lame defense from Mr.Esperon.
According to the National Security Adviser, Norberto Gonzalez, the bomb blast in Glorietta 2 “could be a show of force and capability by a local terror cell.†(abs-cbnnews.com).
If we were to take this man’s statement seriously, wouldn’t the likes of terrorist cells like the Abu Sayyaf, Jemaah Islamiya, MILF, or other Al Qaeda-connected groups, be rushing to grab the limelight-as they seem to love to do after they succeed in an attack ?
It’s been over 24 hours since the bomb blast, & we have not heard from any terrorist groups claiming victory to prove to the public that they are formidable force. The only one mentioning, or alluding to, terrorists is Norberto Gonzalez. Which, to my mind, is suspicious. I know it is his job to open his mouth & say something, but his opinion on the matter is too shallow. Anyone could have said that for the sake of saying something. The Abu Sayyaf has said (abs-cbnnews.com) that “..the group has no involvement in the bomb blast..†& that “the Abu Sayyaf has not fielded any operative in Metro Manila.â€Â
Which leaves analysts, for now, to deduce that the Glorietta 2 bomb blast was an “inside†job. It could have been the handiwork of the right-leaning military men (who would also have access to a C-4 bomb) who want to remove Gloria from Malacanang at all cost. The bomb was a warning to her. This could explain why Gloria cancelled her trip to Ormoc & Tacloban today. What I also gathered last night, was that some generals were called to Malacanan while they were attending a party for an ex-General. After the meeting in the Palace, the Generals went back to the party. They all looked nervous.
However, one may ask, “why such a ruthess act, like a bomb blast, at the expense of people’s lives ?†We must remember that the enemy (Gloria) IS ruthless.
“If this government is only trustworthy and loved by the people, they would find it absurd to even suggest that the very same government who is supposed to protect them will do such a dastardly act. With all the lying, stealing and cheating by this government, most people would be least surprised, if it is revealed in the end, that this government has something to do with the bombing. Unfortunately such “plausible possibility†is quite high.Juan Miguel Alonso”
True! This is the severe penalty they have to pay for their complete lack of transparency all these years via cover-ups,spins and diversions.
I am appalled that the comments I read are mostly about politics in light of this tragedy. I do not read sadness over the lose of 9 lives. The tragedy in the Philippines is that for political expediency, human tragedy takes a backdrop and is just another tool to be exploited to advance one’s political agenda. Nice work equaliser et al..
The time for silence is over, yesterday was enough. It is time for serious blogging, speculation, and finger pointing. Only GMA will stand to gain from people being “terrified” to submission and “pacified” by false sincerity.
ramrod’s comment sums it all up! Who gives a shit about 9 lives!
Where are these “experts” the government is talking about? 24 Hours is more than enough, all we’re seeing are foot dragging, jargon, and confusion-generating talk.
If it was a serious terrorist bombing (Islamist/NPA, etc.), the body count could have been more, the target should be a crowded area, and the deaths or injuries should have been more than blast-related or “shock wave” induced. We should have seen more blood, dismemberment, and terror. As it is, it was a clean blomb, more percussive (just for loud noise) than destructive, they did not find traces, of course they never will. RDX is the signature of C4, if they insist on looking for the detonator in this case a blasting cap it has already been blown to smithereens. If this were tradditional terrorists, shrapnel should have found, (nails, ball bearings, etc.) but there isn’t. This was intentional, clean, and well aimed, with deliberate calculation for as low collateral damage as possible, designed to “make a loud noise.” Terrorists, the genuine ones objective is “HATE” so in their attacks its always calculated for maximum casualty, grim, bloody, terror.
Only old tacticians are so predictable, beware of pacifists, they are as destructive as those who cry “foul!”
JDQ,
What would you want us to do, cry, and feel sorry for ourselves? That will surely make the loss of 9 lives for nothing! I find anger a more productive emotion.
Why don’t you start a drive to collect funds for this tragedy’s bereaved, injured and unemployed?
Put your words into action; sadness and verbalised sympathy are futile.
It seemed ages ago when in 2005 I posted the following in PCIJ’s Blogpost No. 350 (entitled Did the rule of law really prevail?):
‘Twas The Art of Preemption edified by the Palace occupant that cements her to her beloved throne. The Art of Preemption even glorified to the extreme…as exemplified further by the Declaration of State of (Non-)Emergency to the State, the Invocation of E.O. (read: ee-Yahoo) 464, the Response Preemptively Calibrated, the Privilege Executively Employed, the Repeat of the (In)Famous Lozano-Marcoleta Caper (albeit with a different face – the Polished St. Louis one), etcetera, etcetera…
If ever the ones who are now wielding power don’t have blood in their hands in this latest Glorietta explosive incident (as the gloria-lovers are wont to think), why weren’t they able to REPEAT the Tacurong market bomb attack prevention* (which happened 2 days earlier than Glorietta) knowing fully well that gloria and her minions have perfected The Art of Preemption?
Or was this Glorietta explosive incident, in truth and in fact, used to preempt the scandalous-to-the-government headlines for the past several weeks (as gloria-haters…like myself…are wont to think)?
—–
*thanks to a vigilant, fearless ukay-ukay vendor
Just talked to a good friend of mine this instant by phone (who happens to be a Gloria sympathizer) who lives in the Makati area near where the blast happened. She was having at the Japanese tempura restaurant somewhere in or around Glorietta with her husband another couple when the blast occurred. They thought it was an earthquake then saw smoke coming out.
She’s not really worried that there will be more blasts but says if another blast occurs, she thinks Gloria might declare emergency rule.
That’s what happens when you use Intelligence Funds of the O.P. to grease even more the porky local legislators/executives!
I don’t get it why people are blaming Trillanes just because they rigged Oakwood with bomb during the mutiny..That placement of bombs was for their protection, not to hurt lives..They wanted attention and sympathizers…It didn’t work well though..I don’t think they would wait this long to carry out another plot, and by hurting people..Hey, he surrendered, enough to show he is sacrificing his life just so the anomaly in the government can be exposed..Do you think he would let his men sacrifice innocent lives too just to make us angry against the government?? Would not the beheaded soldiers in Basilan not enough to make him wild at the slaughter of his fellowmen?? He or his group may have the capacity and access for the bomb, but i don’t think he would have the heart for such cruelty..Not terrorist-they are too harsh..Not trillanes– he is too nationalistic..
mlq3, the title of this thread should be changed to: “THE POLITICIZION OF A TRAGEDY: PILIPINO STYLE”. i didn’t know too many pinoys are bomb “experts”. no wonder the blind al quaeda terrorist (ramzi youssef whatever) chose the country as a base until he got busted in the u.s.
btw, i think trillianes’ declaration as to who the culprit was, is the most irresponsible statement of all time. i can understand coming from a taxi driver (or a blogger here, for that matter), but from a “senator” of the land? how i wish the senatorship you and your crowd gave to him carried with it a little bit of gray matter for his use.
Thick Face, Black Heart.. The Art of War.. well-thought out plan to conceive one result = distraction.
–“Madam President, I have requested the PNP to interview Senator Trillanes to find out his evidence so that we can pursue the investigation in accordance with his hard evidence that he apparently has for making that statement,” Puno told President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during Saturday morning’s National Security Council and Anti-Terrorism Task Force meeting at Camp Crame.
Esperon gave his consent to the plan, which would be carried out by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
“I would second that, Ma’am. I think this is a serious matter. Accusations like those should be investigated so that we will get to the bottom of these things. Let us not play around with lives of people here. This should be investigated… Formal statements should be taken from people who make allegations,” Esperon said in the same meeting.—GMA NEWS T.V.
Now, shouldn’t we be careful in our allegations? It seems that they are more interested in investigating Trillanes more than the incident..Yes it was tackleless of him to speak coz if the administration indeed has something behind this, now the attention is diverted by the admin to Trillanes…That man is either mad or knows too much, or one is causing the other. It’s boggling who is who and which is which.. Again all speculations. 🙁 .
And what after they investigate Trillanes and finds a fool-proof evidence against Admin, would they approach the President and say,”Madam, you are guilty of this!”? Ain’t that a bad script?
Bencard,
Wish you were here. But then again, enjoy the comfort of insulation, wherever you are.
BTW, intel on 9/11 was actually found in the Philippines before it happened, but the US authority’s turf war between themselves rendered it useless. You should have advised them, since you seem to be “in touch” with everything (or maybe you did, my God, perhaps to ignore everything without any court decision).
“btw, i think trillianes’ declaration as to who the culprit was, is the most irresponsible statement of all time. i can understand coming from a taxi driver (or a blogger here, for that matter), but from a “senator†of the land? how i wish the senatorship you and your crowd gave to him carried with it a little bit of gray matter for his use.” – bencard
Before you say anything, do your homework, maybe he had some basis? Look for Oplan Greenbase…
I am inviting you to come over and talk to the some soldiers personally. The monitor of a computer is so limited, so one dimensional, look at he place, listen to the people, see the people, talk to them…
Have you been to Davao? Do you know at least that the plantations there have estalished a good relationship with the rebels (giving them work), so its highly ludicrous for them to bomb Sasa wharf where these plantation warehouses are located. Sometimes, I think you’re the one who’e gullible…
My deepest sympathy to the victims of the Glorietta 2 bombing yesterday, 19 October. Truly, we should always be grateful everyday for the chance God gives us to live each day. I wish to offer the following prayer not just to all the victims of the Glorietta 2 bombing but also to those who are affected by this evil act:
Dear Lord,
We pray that you comfort all those who are hurting
Walk with them and embrace them
Make them braver and feel secure
And protect them with your love.
Hold the hands of those who lost life
As they journey to your Kingdom
Shine your light upon them
Warm their souls into your merciful arms.
Give solace to those who were left behind
Comfort their families thru the pain
Carry them through their grief
Encircle them with the blessing of your love.
Bless, too, those loving hands
Who extend their help
Making them instruments
As your protecting wings.
Lastly, open the eyes of those
Who have committed this act to see
This is not the way to claim their rights
But use peaceful ways to seek their due.
Let us pray for solitude dear friends during these times of trouble.
ramrod, i never dabble in something i know nothing much about, like intel. i leave it to the big boys who have the “expertise” and authority, and therefore, the RESPONSIBILITY, not the monday morning quarterbacks who are all-knowing, all-seeing, all- correct, but no liability for erroneous prognostications.
btw, i don’t care what basis trillianes has. he has no business making a conclusive “judgment”. opinion? yes. verdict? no, no no.
Eh Ben, Experts and authority?? Sometimes, the people who have the greater knowledge are the most dangerous. Check the news in http://www.gmanews.tv/story/65254/Experts-in-a-bind-over-use-of-bomb-in-Glorietta-blast–report
everyone. “Bomb expert” says it’s possible it’s not a bomb..So what else could it be?! Come on, how can they entertain such idea? Perhaps it’s unlike previous bombing coz this one is not caused by usual terrorists..Sometimes experts think they can fool the ignorant, because they will believe the experts anyway…
Ben — “btw, i don’t care what basis trillianes has. he has no business making a conclusive “judgmentâ€Â. opinion? yes. verdict? no, no no.”
I don’t think it was a verdict.. He said “most likely”..So it’s not definite..It’s like the usual accusation of a man committing murder..He is accused and brought under investigation but presumed innocent, but with charges, still entertaining the thought could be or not could be..And when verdict comes — it is pronounced either GUILTY or NOT GUILTY..not maybe, probably, or likely..
So what is the propaganda behind all this??Make the people angry so that the citizens walk on the streets and create “chaos” enough to declare martial law?? or people power??..Still a lot of speculations on my side.. If it was martial law, then the admin benefits. If it was people power, must be the opposition or anti-Gloria who benefits…
So, what if nobody start the scream on “Gloria resign”?..Let the bomb investigation go on. Let impeachment proceeding go on.If she was trying this for a cover up then let’s disappoint her..If it was the opposition behind this, let there feet itch as they await for the proper time… If it was not any of them, perhaps some other government is carrying on an experiment, and we are the lab rats..:(
bencard,
Yes he said “most likely,” as in related to his expose of oplan greenbase, unfortunately he being neutralized at the moment. Why don’t they let him speak? Hear him out? What are they afraid of? What are the reasons for gagging someone “involved” in their operations?
pretty,
We go on as before the incident, no change, except probably more resolve to ferret out the truth in an impeachment process. If it fails, try again, and again, and again…the search for truth must not waiver.
It makes one feel bad though and doubtful if truth will surface just in time..but yes for now, investigation for BROADBAND SCAM should proceed! investigation of Early CHRISTMAS GIFTS should also proceed.. Gloria stays as President! If proven unworthy, let an impeachment shame her..I wonder if she’d wait for that to happen?!
From the looks of it, she’s not showing any signs of blinking, she will stand her ground. “Impeachment” procedures will have to be the direction. A people power like move to oust her unconstitutionally will cause more damage than harm to our institutions. Even if we do not like her (an understatement), she still deserves the benefit of the doubt. Meantime, we may have to look for leaders who will take her place after 2010.
However, it’s still possible that neither side of the government was involved in this bombing. Probably U.S. could be playing some super power game. The peso had been going strong. A plot such as this can at least disrupt its rise..Or it can be another test fire of some extremist of a new toy to see how great the damage can be…Whoever it was, MAY THEY ROT IN HELL!! I rest my case now and goodnyt to all!
mali. ang pangalan ko doon HindiNaPinoy. at kung binasa mo at inintindi ang mga posts ko, malalaman mo na hindi ako pro-arroyo. tama, ‘troll’ ako sa mga bloggers ni ellen kasi ang crowd doon ay erap and marcos loyalists. kung iba ang pananaw mo doon, pinaaalis ka. hindi ka welcome. mabuti pa dito. kaya hindi na ako nagpupunta doon. bagong pasok ako doon, sinabi ko na ang position ko – pare-pareho ang mga politiko sa pinas. iyan pa rin ang position ko hanggang ngayon. gets mo?
cheers to you, dapinoy. stand your ground and don’t back down. most people here will judge you on whether you are pro-arroyo or not. they don’t care about the merit of your argument,or whether what you say make sense. say anything against the president, no matter how unreasonable and stupid, and they will hail you as a prophet, if not a messiah.
it’s not about being pro or anti arroyo. it’s about being right.
in tragedies like this, though I feel bad for the victims, I sympathize with their families even more. parents, siblings, spouses, and children of the casualties. how do you explain to a child that mommy is no longer coming home, or how do you comfort a parent who lost a child? one of the first casualties identified was a student who died on the spot. dreams snuffed out in an instant. ambitions of probably the whole family for a better life.
ramrod,
The cameras are there precisely to aid in law inforcement. They proved very effective in many countries. I can’t understand why theft would deter us from using this vital tool? We stop dead on every obstacle to a solutuion, we will never solve any. It’s always a battle between good and evil and we can’t be neither of the above.
mgm,
I am for putting cameras, don’t get me wrong. I was just pointing out a factor that must be considered. But I do believe that we have to choose the side of good always.
DinaPinoy,
Don’t take offense in reactions like that, I believe this blog is open to everyone regardless of ones views. Of course there is a majority view but I believe everyone is allowed his/her own, of course some civility is appreciated. If this blog were otherwise, like only inhabited by people with a singular view, it would not be good for everyone, “inbreeding” is never advisable. Yes, I believe we could even learn a lot from from our very own GMA defense attorney, Bencard.
Another sad day for Pinoys. I wish this will be the last terror incident at least for this year so we can all have a happy Christmas.
The timing is suspect. To happen on a Friday so that the stocks and the peso rate will not be affected since it is the last day of trading. Makes you wonder.
broadbandido,
The timing is perfect.
“ramrod, i never dabble in something i know nothing much about, like intel. i leave it to the big boys who have the “expertise†and authority, and therefore, the RESPONSIBILITY, not the monday morning quarterbacks who are all-knowing, all-seeing, all- correct, but no liability for erroneous prognostications.” bencard
so true. plenty of them -conspiracy theorists /experts- here in blogosphere.
“so true. plenty of them -conspiracy theorists /experts- here in blogosphere.”
Only those with adequate to superior mental faculties and status in life are welcome…
According to the “rule of law” Trillanes is an accused in custody having refused bail and therefore still an “innocent man” and the last time I heard he was elected Senator and since he is not muzzled ‘yet’ he too can speculate (or maybe he has evidence to the effect) just like all other politicians, even the President, without the police even definite in their findings is quite sure of who did it and so are the oppositions and the leftists and the bloggers. make your choice..it is still a free country…
JIW,
agree. this is a free country and so, anyone can speculate including our honorable senators like trillanes. it’s perfectly alright for him to accuse gloria (the evil one) as the mastermind (all the facts point to the midget) right after the bombing incident. i believe he has the goods to pin down gloria. and i just thought maybe the good senator could have serve the nation better if he had acted fast and exposed the evil plans of gloria and her henchmen before the bombing happened. it could have save the precious lives of those poor innocent victims who’ve perished (may their souls rest in peace) and those who were maimed and will forever be traumatized by the blast.
sayang talaga. he’s so close. what do you think?
“Only those with adequate to superior mental faculties and status in life are welcome…” ramrod
agree. and you’re one of those privileged individuals who have those abilities.
what i think is Trillanes is just doing like others..after the facts and then start making up facts.
but just like other politicians, it is now an accepted norm in the country, speculations, accusations and in the end confusions.
but to minimize or even prevent another incident like this, we all and that means the Political Leaders included, to set their differences aside and put enough resources to the dedicated Intelligence community whose only duties is to gather evidence and apply all the necessary laws to pre-empt these heinous acts and that is not impossible.
Mlq3, apologies for an out of topic post here…
Grd,
I remember you were interested in the BAE Saudi Arabia defence sale scandal.
Just received this in my e-mail and thought might interest you:
____________________
1. Control BAE peaceful protest Tuesday 30th October
2. Control BAE speaking tour – November
3. Control BAE month of action – November
4. CAAT National Gathering 2007 – Saturday 24th November
5. Last chance to support CAAT’s team in the Great South Run
6. CAAT Greetings cards on sale now
7. Events diary
____________________
1. Control BAE peaceful protest Tuesday 30th October
The Saudi royal family will visit the UK between 30th October and 1st
November 2007. Join our peaceful protest on Tuesday 30th October tocall for the reopening of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) corruptioninquiry into BAE Systems arms deals with Saudi Arabia.
Time and place: 11am, Tuesday 30th October, somewhere near HorseGuards Parade to coincide with the Royal procession to BuckinghamPalace. We may also hold another protest in the afternoon nearer to Parliament to take our message to MPs. Exact location to be confirmed on our events page soon: http://www.caat.org.uk/events/diary.php
If you’d like to receive a message when details are confirmed, please email [email protected]. In the meantime, put the date in your diary now.
_________
2. Control BAE speaking tour – November
Speakers from CAAT, The Corner House
(www.thecornerhouse.org.uk) and UNICORN
(www.againstcorruption.org) will tour the UK during November to do a series of public meetings about the Control BAE campaign, tocoincide with the Control BAE month of action. Check the list below for a location near you and come along to find out more about the issues, the legal challenge and the campaign to get the Saudi-BAE
corruption inquiry reopened. Please tell your friends and colleagues too. Times and venues can be found at
http://www.caat.org.uk/events/november_tour.php.
My wish is for us to get the real story behind the blast. Unfortunately, we are being informed by authorities who suffer very low in credibility. I would trust the opinion of disinterested parties more like the Australian bomb experts and FBI. We must all demand for a more credible CSI report!!! Otherwise, the perpetrators will not only get away with the crime, they will also succeed in taking us for a ride to hell!!!