Another explosion in the Philippines: the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, home to Congress. Police are pretty sure that this was an actual bomb targeted to kill Basilan Congressman Wahab Akbar as he left the building (unlike the Glorietta blast which they now say was an accident).

(Note that the Batasang Pambansa is the House of Representatives, formerly the home of Parliament, distinct from the Senate which is GSIS Building in Pasay City, a different part of Metro Manila.)

More from Inquirer, GMA News, ABS-CBN News, BBC, New York Times, Pinoyexchange, Amee, MLQ3.

The response is, as with Glorietta, resounding cynicism. Few seem to believe Glorietta was an accident, and with the president facing impeachment and the Philippines’ notorious history of political foul play, the unsettled populace can’t help but compare these blasts with the fake ambush of Enrile which Marcos used as a pretext for martial law.

Still, considering the tribal/warlordist aspect of Filipino provincial politics, I could see a political power play in Basilan bringing on a brazen attack like this, too.

I withhold judgment as I watch how the spectacle unfolds from afar.

Update: Akbar was the target, says the PNP. Akbar has former associations with the Abu Sayyaf, and rebelled against them, establishing a dictatorial reign of terror during his prior governorship. This is Philippine-style feudal provincial politics with terror tactics and connections mixed in. Also see MLQ3’s column, House in the Line of Fire.