I'VE ORDERED PNP CHIEF AVELINO RAZON TO PERSONALLY OVERSEE THE INVESTIGATION OF THIS EXPLOSION, DETERMINE ITS CAUSE AND SUBMIT PERIODIC REPORTS, INCLUDING IMMEDIATE MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO PREVENT ANY OTHER DESTRUCTIVE EVENTS.

I'VE ALSO CONVENED THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TONIGHT TO ASSESS THE SECURITY SITUATION AND INSTITUTE IMMEDIATE MEASURES TO ADDRESS ANY THREATS.

HABANG NAGSISIYASAT ANG PULIS AT PINAGTITIBAY ANG PAGBABANTAY SA BANSA, NANANAWAGAN TAYO NA IWASAN ANG MGA HAKA-HAKA, PARATANG AT SABI-SABI NA MAAARING LUMIKHA NG KAGULUHAN, TAKOT AT HIDWAAN.

SA HALIP NA MAGTURUAN, KAILANGAN MAGKAPIT-BISIG TAYO AT MAGMATYAG LABAN SA IBA PANG MGA BANTA NA MAAARING NAKAUMANG SA ATING KAPAYAPAAN.

LET ME ASSURE OUR PEOPLE AND OUR FRIENDS HERE AND ABROAD THAT THE PHILIPPINES AND YOUR GOVERNMENT SHALL NOT REST UNTIL WE GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS TRAGEDY AND HUNT DOWN AND PUNISH THE PERPETRATORS. # # #

President Arroyo Orders Authorities to Hunt Down Perpetrators 

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=100705
By Joel Guinto

President wants things back to normal Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered authorities to hunt down the perpetrators of the deadly explosion at the House of Representatives as she appealed to people to avoid making speculations that would create further chaos following the incident.

Arroyo also directed government doctors to help all the victims now being treated in various hospitals.

"Let me assure our people and our friends in the world that we will not rest until we get to the bottom of this tragedy and hunt down the perpetrators," Arroyo said in a statement aired live over government's Radyo ng Bayan.

Arroyo said she would meet with the National Security Council to assess the security situation and ensure that measures are in place to avoid a similar incident.

Arroyo expressed sadness over the deaths of Basilan Congressman Wahab Akbar and two other civilians.

Philippine National Police Chief Avelino Razon said Arroyo also ordered them "to conduct an investigation and at the same time to ensure that by tomorrow [Wednesday], things will be brought back to normal."

"Dadagdagan ang pagbabantay [Additional security will be provided to] sa vital installations. Dadagdagan din ang police visibility [Police visibility will be increased]," he said.

Razon said Metro Manila Police Chief Geary Barias and Chief Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula, Quezon City police chief, were tasked to lead the investigation.