Philippines: bomb kills 3 outside Congress

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071113/ap_on_re_as/philippines_explosion

Tue Nov 13, 3:04 PM ET

MANILA, Philippines - A bomb exploded outside the House of Representatives late Tuesday, killing a former Muslim rebel-turned-congressman who had backed a U.S.-Philippine offensive against Islamic militants. A lawmaker's driver and a legislative staffer also died.

The body of a victim still inside a van as one of the entrances to the Philippine House of Representatives in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila, which was damaged by an explosion late Tuesday Nov. 13, 2007. The incident killed a driver and injured at least nine people, including lawmakers, officials said. (AP Photo)
AP Photo: The body of a victim still inside a van as one of the entrances...

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said the target appeared to be Rep. Wahab Akbar, a former rebel who as governor of southern Basilan province gave his support to military operations against al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf guerrillas. Akbar died of wounds in a hospital, police said.

Puno sought to play down the possible involvement of Muslim extremists, however, saying the investigation was "pointing away from terrorist attack and more of a directed assault on a certain individual."

"There were threats on the life of Akbar," Puno told reporters. "The indications are that that was the case both in terms of location of the bomb and the manner it was set off."

While he turned on the Muslim rebels, Akbar also had many political foes, including those who ran against one of his wives who succeeded him as Basilan governor. Political rivalries in the southern Philippines are often accompanied by bloodshed, and assassinations of politicians are common.

Akbar, 47, was a member of the Moro National Liberation Front, a Muslim rebel group that dropped its secessionist goal and signed a peace accord with the government in September 1996.

Some security officials suspected Akbar knew the leaders of Abu Sayyaf, a radical Muslim group that has its roots on Basilan island. But they said he later had a falling out with Abu Sayyaf commanders and started fighting them.

Akbar was Basilan governor when U.S. troops arrived on the island in 1992 to train Filipino soldiers battling Abu Sayyaf. Over the years, the island was gradually transformed from a militant hotbed into a showcase of counterterrorism success and humanitarian development.

The key Abu Sayyaf leaders were killed last year in a clash with Philippine marines on neighboring Jolo island. But some of the group's fighters regrouped and returned to Basilan, where they have joined with other guerrillas to stage sporadic attacks.


  • Mayor Cherry Lyn Akbar, the widow of the late Congressman Wahab Akbar,touches her husband's coffin during his burial at Isabela, the capital of the island province of Basilan in southern Philippines on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007. Akbar, who was killed in Tuesday's bombing outside the Philippine legislature was with al-Qaida-linked militants before he switched sides to support an offensive against them, but it wasn't clear if the blast was revenge for that betrayal, officials said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Al Jacinto)

    Mayor Cherry Lyn Akbar, the widow of the late Congressman Wahab Akbar,touches …

    AP via Yahoo! News - Nov 14 1:39 AM
  • Mayor Cherry Lyn Akbar, the widow of the late Congressman Wahab Akbar,touches her husband's coffin during his burial at Isabela, the capital of the island province of Basilan in southern Philippines on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007. Akbar, who was killed in Tuesday's bombing outside the Philippine legislature was with al-Qaida-linked militants before he switched sides to support an offensive against them, but it wasn't clear if the blast was revenge for that betrayal, officials said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Al Jacinto)

    Mayor Cherry Lyn Akbar, the widow of the late Congressman Wahab Akbar,touches …

    AP via Yahoo! News - Nov 14 1:38 AM
  • Supporters prepare to bury the remains of Filipino Rep. Wahab Akbar at Isabela, the capital of the island province of Basilan in southern Philippines on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007. Akbar, who was killed in Tuesday's bombing outside the Philippine legislature was with al-Qaida-linked militants before he switched sides to support an offensive against them, but it wasn't clear if the blast was revenge for that betrayal, officials said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Al Jacinto)

    Supporters prepare to bury the remains of Filipino Rep. Wahab Akbar at Isabela, …

    AP via Yahoo! News - Nov 14 2:18 AM
  • The body of Filipino Rep. Wahab Akbar is carried by supporters Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, for burial at Isabela, the capital of the island province of Basilan in southern Philippines on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007. Akbar, who was killed in Tuesday's bombing outside the Philippine legislature was with al-Qaida-linked militants before he switched sides to support an offensive against them, but it wasn't clear if the blast was revenge for that betrayal, officials said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Al Jacinto)

    The body of Filipino Rep. Wahab Akbar is carried by supporters Wednesday, Nov. …

    AP via Yahoo! News - Nov 14 1:40 AM
  • Supporters lower the body of Congressman Wahab Akbar into the gravesite at Isabela, the capital of the Island province of Basilan in southern Philippines on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007. Akbar, who was killed in Tuesday's bombing outside the Philippine legislature was with al-Qaida-linked militants before he switched sides to support an offensive against them, but it wasn't clear if the blast was revenge for that betrayal, officials said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Al Jacinto)

    Supporters lower the body of Congressman Wahab Akbar into the gravesite at …

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  • The four wives of Philippine lawmaker Wahab Akbar weep as the remains of their husband arrives in Zamboanga City, southern Philippines November 14, 2007. A bomb rocked the Philippine Congress on Tuesday in a suspected assassination of a Muslim lawmaker that also killed two others, injured several more and unnerved the country's capital. REUTERS/Stringer (PHILIPPINES)

    The four wives of Philippine lawmaker Wahab Akbar weep as the remains of their husband arrives in Zamboanga City …

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  • People carry the casket of their provincial representative Wahab Akbar in the remote town of Sumagdang in Basilan province, southern Philippines November 14, 2007. A bomb rocked the Philippine Congress on Tuesday in a suspected assassination of a Muslim lawmaker that also killed two others, injured several more and unnerved the country's capital. REUTERS/Stringer (PHILIPPINES)

    People carry the casket of their provincial representative Wahab Akbar in southern Philippines …

    Reuters via Yahoo! News - Nov 14 1:37 AM
  • Reuters via Yahoo! News - Nov 13 11:55 PM
  • Residents of the south island of Basilan carry the casket of their provincial representative Wahab Akbar in the remote town of Sumagdang in Basilan province, southern Philippines November 14, 2007. A bomb rocked the Philippine Congress on Tuesday in a suspected assassination of a Muslim lawmaker that also killed two others, injured several more and unnerved the country's capital. REUTERS/Stringer (PHILIPPINES)

    Residents of the south island of Basilan carry the casket of their provincial representative Wahab Akbar in southern Philippines …

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  • Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (R) consoles Isabela City Mayor Cherrie Akbar, wife of Congressman Wahab Akbar who died after the explosion in the House of Representatives, during her visit at the hospital in Quezon City Metro Manila November 14, 2007. A bomb rocked the Philippine Congress on Tuesday in a suspected assassination of a Muslim lawmaker that also killed two others, injured several more and unnerved the country's capital. REUTERS/Reny Pampolina/Malacanang Palace/Handout (PHILIPPINES). EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. NO ARCHIVES. NO SALES.

    Philippine President Arroyo consoles wife of Congressman Wahab Akbar in Quezon City …

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  • This undated photo released by the House of Representatives, shows Rep. Wahab Akbar of the island of Basilan in southern Philippines. Akbar, a congressman killed in Tuesday's bombing outside the Philippine legislature was with al-Qaida-linked militants before he switched sides to support an offensive against them, but it wasn't clear if the blast was revenge for that betrayal, officials said Wednesday. (AP Photo/House of Representatives)

    This undated photo released by the House of Representatives, shows Rep. Wahab …

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  • The widow of the late Congressman Wahab Akbar, Mayor Cherry Lyn Akbar touches the casket of her husband in Basilan southern Philippines, 14 November 2007. A "sophisticated" bomb intended for a pre-selected target killed a legislator and three people at the Philippines House of Representatives, the national police chief said Thursday.(AFP/STR)

    Philippine Congress bomb was ' sophisticated ' : police …

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News Stories for Wahab Akbar (558) »

  • Philippine congressman Wahab Akbar, seen here in 2001, was the target of the blast outside the Philippine House of Representatives that killed him and two others, police said Wednesday.(AFP/File/Jay Directo)

    Death toll rises to four in Philippine Congress bomb …

    AFP/File via Yahoo! News - Nov 14 2:54 AM
  • Police investigators search for evidence at the bomb blast site at the House of Representatives in Manila, 13 November 2007, beside the damaged vehicle of congressman Wahab Akbar who was killed in the attack.(AFP/Luis Liwanag)

    Muslim member was target of Philippine Congress bomb: police …

    AFP via Yahoo! News - Nov 14 3:56 AM
  • Members of the House of Representatives wear black armbands, as they offer a moment of silence to pay tribute to Rep. Wahab Akbar of Basilan, who was killed in Tuesday's bombing, during their session Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, in Quezon City north of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

    Members of the House of Representatives wear black armbands, as they offer a …

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  • Police investigators inspect the explosion site at the entrance of the congress building in Manila. Two people including Philippine lawmaker Wahab Akbar have been killed and at least 10 more injured when a bomb ripped through the House of Representatives, officials said.(AFP)

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  • A handout photo from the House of Representatives shows damaged vehicles at the entrance of the congress building in Manila. A controversial Muslim congressman was the target of the powerful bomb outside the Philippine House of Representatives that killed him and three others, police said.(AFP/HO/File)

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  • Philippine lawmakers offer a silent prayer to the victims of a car bomb explosion before the start of the session at the House of the Representatives in Quezon city, suburban Manila November 14, 2007. A bomb rocked the Philippine Congress on Tuesday in a suspected assassination of a Muslim lawmaker that also killed two others, injured several more and unnerved the country's capital. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)

    Philippine lawmakers offer a silent prayer to the victims of a car bomb explosion in Quezon city …

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  • Rescuer workers carry a body recovered from the bomb blast site at the entrance of the House of Representatives in Manila, 13 November 2007. A controversial Muslim congressman was the target of a powerful bomb blast outside the Philippine House of Representatives that killed him and two others, police said Wednesday.(AFP/Luis Liwanag)

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  • Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) present pieces of evidence seized from what they say is a Muslim rebel hideout during a news conference at the police headquarters in Manila November 16, 2007. Police killed three suspected Islamic militants and arrested three during a raid on Thursday where suspects in the bomb attack on Congress were believed to be hiding. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)

    Members of the Philippine National Police present pieces of evidence seized from what they say is a Muslim rebel hideout …

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  • A soldier guards the bomb blast site at the House of Representatives in Manila late 13 November 2007. A controversial Muslim congressman was the target of a powerful bomb outside the House of Representatives that killed him and two others, police said Wednesday.(AFP/Romeo Gacad)

    Muslim member was target of Philippine Congress bomb: police …

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  • Philippine National Police Director-General Avelino Razon (L) holds a shirt with a logo of the House of Representatives during a news conference at the police headquarters in Manila November 16, 2007, as police present pieces of evidence seized from what they say is a Muslim rebel hideout in the capital. Police killed three suspected Islamic militants and arrested three during a raid on Thursday where suspects in the bomb attack on Congress were believed to be hiding. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)

    Philippine National Police Director-General Avelino Razon holds a shirt with a logo of the House of Representatives during a news conference in Manila …

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  • Police investigators inspect the explosion site at the entrance of the congress building in Manila. A controversial Muslim congressman was the target of the blast outside the Philippine House of Representatives that killed him and two others, police said Wednesday.(AFP/Romeo Gacad)

    Muslim member was target of Philippine Congress bomb: police …

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  • Police investigators examine vehicles damaged by a bomb blast inside the House of the Representatives in Quezon city in suburban Manila November 14, 2007. Philippine politicians busied themselves with corruption probes on Wednesday resuming business as usual after a bomb attack on Congress killed three people and wounded 10 in the suspected assassination of a Muslim lawmaker. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)

    Police investigators examine vehicles damaged by a bomb blast inside the House of the Representatives in Quezon city …

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  • A police investigator gathers debris from a car bomb explosion inside the House of Representatives in Quezon city, suburban Manila November 14, 2007. Philippine politicians went back to work on Wednesday after a bomb attack on Congress killed three people and wounded 10 in the suspected assassination of a Muslim lawmaker. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)

    A police investigator gathers debris from a car bomb explosion inside the House of Representatives in Quezon city …

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  • Police investigators inspect a motorcycle and a vehicle damaged in a bomb blast at the House of Representatives in Quezon city, suburban Manila November 14, 2007. Philippine politicians went back to work on Wednesday after a bomb attack on Congress killed three people and wounded 10 in the suspected assassination of a Muslim lawmaker. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)

    Police investigators inspect a motorcycle and a vehicle damaged in a bomb blast at the House of Representatives in Quezon city …

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  • Bodies of three suspected Islamic militants lie on the ground in Payatas village in Quezon city, suburban Manila November 15, 2007. Philippine security forces killed three suspected members of an Islamic militant group in Manila on Thursday, a few blocks from Congress, and said they found evidence that could link the three to the bomb attack on the legislature. REUTERS/Stringer (PHILIPPINES)

    Bodies of three suspected Islamic militants lie on the ground during a police raid in a hideout in Payatas village in Quezon city …

    Reuters via Yahoo! News - Nov 15 7:22 AM
  • People carry the casket of their provincial representative Wahab Akbar in the remote town of Sumagdang in Basilan province, southern Philippines November 14, 2007. A bomb rocked the Philippine Congress on Tuesday in a suspected assassination of a Muslim lawmaker that also killed two others, injured several more and unnerved the country's capital. REUTERS/Stringer (PHILIPPINES)

    People carry the casket of their provincial representative Wahab Akbar in southern Philippines …

    Reuters via Yahoo! News - Nov 14 1:37 AM
  • Residents of the south island of Basilan carry the casket of their provincial representative Wahab Akbar in the remote town of Sumagdang in Basilan province, southern Philippines November 14, 2007. A bomb rocked the Philippine Congress on Tuesday in a suspected assassination of a Muslim lawmaker that also killed two others, injured several more and unnerved the country's capital. REUTERS/Stringer (PHILIPPINES)

    Residents of the south island of Basilan carry the casket of their provincial representative Wahab Akbar in southern Philippines …

    Reuters via Yahoo! News - Nov 14 1:36 AM
  • Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force inspect a vehicle arriving at the House of the Representatives in Quezon city, suburban Manila November 14, 2007. A bomb rocked the Philippine Congress on Tuesday in a suspected assassination of a Muslim lawmaker that also killed two others, injured several more and unnerved the country's capital. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)

    Members of the PNP Special Action Force inspect a vehicle arriving at the House of the Representatives in Quezon city …

    Reuters via Yahoo! News - Nov 13 5:44 PM
  • Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force inspect a vehicle arriving at the House of the Representatives in Quezon city, suburban Manila November 14, 2007. A bomb rocked the Philippine Congress on Tuesday in a suspected assassination of a Muslim lawmaker that also killed two others, injured several more and unnerved the country's capital. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)

    Members of the PNP Special Action Force inspect a vehicle arriving at the House of the Representatives in Quezon city …

    Reuters via Yahoo! News - Nov 13 5:21 PM
  • Police investigators search for evidences among the debris a day after a powerful explosion at the House of the Representatives Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007 in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila. A congressman who was killed in a bomb blast outside the Philippine legislature was a member of an al-Qaida-linked militant group but later switched sides to support a U.S.-backed offensive against them, police said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

    Police investigators search for evidences among the debris a day after a …

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  • A member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force inspects a motorcycle arriving at the House of the Representatives in Quezon city, suburban Manila November 14, 2007. A bomb rocked the Philippine Congress on Tuesday in a suspected assassination of a Muslim lawmaker that also killed two others, injured several more and unnerved the country's capital. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)

    A member of the PNP Special Action Force inspects a motorcycle arriving at the House of the Representatives in Quezon city …

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  • A member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force stands guard at the main gate of the House of the Representatives in Quezon city, suburban Manila November 14, 2007. A bomb rocked the Philippine Congress on Tuesday in a suspected assassination of a Muslim lawmaker that also killed two others, injured several more and unnerved the country's capital. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES)

    A member of the PNP Special Action Force stands guard at the main gate of the House of the Representatives in Quezon city …

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  • A police investigator checks on a damaged car a day after a powerful explosion at the House of the Representatives Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007 in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila. A congressman who was killed in a bomb blast outside the Philippine legislature was a member of an al-Qaida-linked militant group but later switched sides to support a U.S.-backed offensive against them, police said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

    A police investigator checks on a damaged car a day after a powerful explosion …

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  • A police investigator searches for evidences inside a destroyed car a day after a powerful explosion at the House of the Representatives Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007 in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila. A congressman who was killed in a bomb blast outside the Philippine legislature was a member of an al-Qaida-linked militant group but later switched sides to support a U.S.-backed offensive against them, police said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

    A police investigator searches for evidences inside a destroyed car a day after …

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  • A police investigator search for evidences beside a destroyed motorcycle part a day after a powerful explosion at the House of the Representatives Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007 in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila. A congressman who was killed in a bomb blast outside the Philippine legislature was a member of an al-Qaida-linked militant group but later switched sides to support a U.S.-backed offensive against them, police said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

    A police investigator search for evidences beside a destroyed motorcycle part a …

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  • A police investigator checks on pictures of motorcycles beside a destroyed one a day after a powerful explosion at the House of the Representatives Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007 in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila. A congressman who was killed in a bomb blast outside the Philippine legislature was a member of an al-Qaida-linked militant group but later switched sides to support a U.S.-backed offensive against them, police said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

    A police investigator checks on pictures of motorcycles beside a destroyed one a …

    AP via Yahoo! News - Nov 13 8:27 PM
  • Members of the Police Special Action Force inspect a car entering the compound as they implement a tighter security Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007 in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila a day after a powerful explosion at the House of the Representatives. A congressman who was killed in a bomb blast outside the Philippine legislature was a member of an al-Qaida-linked militant group but later switched sides to support a U.S.-backed offensive against them, police said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

    Members of the Police Special Action Force inspect a car entering the compound …

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  • Members of the police Special Action Force inspect a car entering the compound as they implement a tighter security Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007 in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila, a day after a powerful explosion at the House of the Representatives. A congressman who was killed in a bomb blast outside the Philippine legislature was a member of an al-Qaida-linked militant group but later switched sides to support a U.S.-backed offensive against them, police said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

    Members of the police Special Action Force inspect a car entering the compound …

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  • Members of the police Special Action Force stop a man on a motorcycle entering the compound as they implement a tighter security Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007 in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila, a day after a powerful explosion at the House of the Representatives. A congressman who was killed in a bomb blast outside the Philippine legislature was a member of an al-Qaida-linked militant group but later switched sides to support a U.S.-backed offensive against them, police said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

    Members of the police Special Action Force stop a man on a motorcycle entering …

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  • Police investigators gather outside the devastated area at the House of the Representatives after a powerful explosion Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007 in suburban Quezon city north of Manila. A bomb exploded at an entrance of the Philippine House of Representatives late Tuesday, killing a congressman and a driver and injuring at least nine others, officials said. Police and soldiers in the capital went on high alert. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

    Police investigators gather outside the devastated area at the House of the …

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